The Cornstak well, the first in a five-well drilling program, was drilled to a total depth of 1001m. Four cores cut from the Devonian Shale were reported to be bubbling gas during preparation for sample analysis, Norwest said.

The cores will be used to quantify the organic content and sorbed gas phase of the shale and ultimately calculate the gas in-place volume for the region, according to Norwest.

Once drilled, the wells will be fracture-stimulated and completed at a later date. The drilling rig is now at the second well site.

The program’s first four well locations are close to existing gas pipelines, providing an opportunity for them to be tied into the system and to generate early cash flow, the company said in an earlier report.

Under a farm-in agreement, US-based operator Ascent Energy will pay Norwest and Alto Energy’s share of costs to drill and complete the first three wells.

Norwest managing director Joe Salomon said Ascent was looking to introduce techniques and technology to optimise the gas potential within the Devonian shale section.

The Cornstalk joint venture comprises Ascent Energy, the project operator which holds a 42% stake, Norwest (29%) and Alto Energy (29%).

In another Appalachian shale gas project, but this time in Kentucky, Alto Energy has finished a nine-well drilling program at the Home Run development.

The company said all nine wells exhibited multiple gas shows and will be put on production, following stimulation and completion.

Managing director Greg Channon said the final well, Gary Oliver-1, exhibited multiple shows consistent with previous wells.

“The operator, Hay Exploration, is actively working to connect these wells into the existing Home Run gas gathering system. Plans are in place for multiple completions on the wells, in both conventional and unconventional reservoirs,” Channon said.

“Once we have initiated production and revenue from these nine wells, we will begin the process of establishing the viability of a full field development over the Home Run Project, covering approximately 20,000 acres.”

The nine wells at the project have been drilled in two stages. Four were drilled last year by Hay Exploration, a private US company, before Alto joined the project. The remaining five were drilled early this year.

A farm-in agreement provides for an optional additional five-well program.

The wells were primarily targeting gas in the Devonian Shale, with secondary targets in the Trenton Black River Limestone, Corniferous Limestone, Berea Sandstone and Weir Sandstone.

Alto Energy has funded 100% of the four-well completions and the nine-well drilling program, earning 50% of revenue from the existing wells and 75% of revenue from the drilled wells.

The company will then have a 50% working interest in all subsequent wells within a 20,000-acre area.

The Home Run project is a 50:50 joint venture between Alto Energy and Hay Exploration.