Operator Orchard Petroleum spent four weeks bringing the well from testing to production, which required assembling production equipment, and finalizing well tie-in arrangements and sales agreements, according to Livingstone.

“The short turnaround from a successful test to production confirms how quickly a gas discovery at the Forbes project can be turned into revenues,” Livingstone company secretary Brett Mitchell said.

“The success with Larner 2-12 from discovery to production gives our current exploration strategy a large confidence boost as we prepare for a new round of drilling later this year.”

He said the joint venture had now selected new prospects for future drilling and was currently undertaking site surveys and progressing surface leases.

Livingstone and Orchard hold equal stakes in the Forbes Gas Project, which is fully interpreted by 3D seismic.

“Both the leased acreage position and seismic were acquired before the current high demand for gas prospects in California,” Mitchell said.

“Our early involvement in the area has avoided the high entry costs now being faced by many operators.”