To date, six of the nine wells are on pump, with the remaining three acting as monitor wells to measure the level of interference to help determine well spacing and reserves optimisation. These wells will be placed on pump once enough data is obtained in the next few weeks.

Eastern Star managing director Dennis Morton was enthusiastic about the results.

“Although the Bibblewindi pilot was drilled on a relatively tight spacing, the degree of interference this early is a very encouraging sign and it supports the previously measured high permeabilities in these wells,” Morton said.

“A gas reserve certification may possibly be achieved earlier than expected, and on a significantly larger spacing than the current pilot. Potentially greater gas recoveries from fewer wells may be achieved during development.”

Meanwhile, production continues to gradually ramp up at the three-well Bohena pilot, where output currently totals 211,000 cubic feet per day.

Continued dewatering of all wells should result in steadily increasing gas rates over the next four to six months, with commercial results and reserve certification expected mid-year.