The well has not yet reached total depth. Drilling was suspended on the weekend at 3337m when gas to surface was observed.

In April, the Century 18 drilling rig was used to spud Beharra Springs 4 vertically to an intermediate casing depth of 3269m in the lower Kockatea Shale. The well was suspended after intermediate casing was set, and the rig was released.

The target reservoir section was then to be drilled underbalanced with nitrogen brine, using a coiled tubing unit (CTU) to a planned final total depth of about 3374m.

Coiled tubing operations began on the evening of Saturday, September 29, but Origin drilled just 68m before noticing the gas kick.

“Wellhead pressure immediately increased as gas was flared down the blooie line,” Origin said.

“A further metre was drilled to a current total measured depth of 3338 metres and a flow test was conducted.”

The results of the flow test are under review with initial indications that the Beharra Springs 4 well may be in partial pressure communication with the remainder of the Beharra Springs Gas Field.”

Further pressure information will become available once final total depth – which is planned for 3374m – is reached and the well is shut-in, Origin said.