Molopo said testing had recommenced in the well following installation and commissioning of a new electric submersible pump, coupled with the completion of modifications to surface facilities.
LMG03 had previously produced an interim 667,000 cubic feet per day of CSM and production had been increasing when mechanical failure necessitated a pump replacement.
Molopo said testing of LMG03 was planned to continue for a further six months to provide production data to support the establishment of certified gas reserves within the Stratford Prospect.
The two companies are evaluating potential markets to enable the commercialisation of the Gloucester Basin permit through the initial development of the Stratford prospect, which has in-place gas reserve estimates of 90 petajoules.
The partners have also drilled two new exploration wells 5km outside the Stratford Prospect, aimed at testing the northern and southern continuity of the thick, highly gassy coal seams of the Gloucester coal measures in the basin.
Molopo said the first of these wells, LMGC1, which was completed in early May to a total depth of 937m, had encountered net coal thickness of 26m. The best target seam was the 8.8m-thick Bowens Road at a depth of 670m, while several other seams had thickness greater than 2m.
Preliminary test results indicated high gas contents, in the 6-15 cubic metre per tonne range, with methane composition in the range of 52-77%.
Drilling on the second well LMGW1 had been successfully completed to a depth of 600m in late June. The borehole intersected several of the anticipated coal seams, including two Bowens Road seams with thickness of 4m and 6.8m at depths between 260m and 277m.
Testing of those coals for gas content, composition and permeability was also underway.
Molopo said a short 2D seismic survey, covering about 4.7km in three lines, had been also been completed across the Stratford Prospect in late June.
Lucas is operator of the Gloucester Basin project and holds a 70% interest, while Molopo owns the remaining stake.
