“Habanero #2 produced up to 10MW thermal power during the test,” said managing director Bertus de Graaf.

“Massive amounts of steam and hot brine were released from the overpressured reservoir, with noise levels approaching 120 decibels – similar to that of a jet engine.

“The completed test has confirmed that the highly overpressured target hot granites of the Cooper Basin have the potential for generating large scale, zero-emission power.”

The Habanero #2 well flowed for 40 hours continuously at a controlled flow rate of up to 15 kg/sec. Geothermal brine temperatures reached 198.5°C, which was in line with modelling studies (flow rate and time).

Higher temperatures are expected to be reached during the two week diagnostic flow test, now scheduled to start early next week.