The well, in Molopo's ATP564P interests in the Bowen Basin, had been hydraulically fracture stimulated as part of a final round of test drilling to optimise commercial gas extraction from the proven field.

Molopo managing director, Stephen Mitchell, said that it was anticipated that a second nearby well, Mungi-2, which was completed as a surface to in-seam well, would be put on production testing within a few weeks.

The results from both wells will be assessed as part of a development feasibility study expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Molopo has a free-carried interest of up to $6 million in the production test program as part of the company's US$5 million sale to Helm Hydrocarbon earlier this year.

Interests in ATP564P include Molopo (25%), Oil Company of Australia (50% and operator) and Helm Energy-Australia LLC (25%).

Molopo has other coal bed methane interests in Queensland, NSW and China.