Comet Ridge encounters gas pay at Mahalo 3 well in Australia

Comet Ridge has reported positive test results from its Maholo 3 well in the Bowen Basin of Queensland, Australia.

Mahalo 3 intersected about eight metres of net coal, with seven metres of this coal in the main Castor-Pollux seam after reaching a total depth of 300m.

Analysis of flow testing in the well, conducted over this main seam, has shown the Castor-Pollux to have sufficient permeability to enable the well to be utilised for pilot production.

Flow testing has revealed the Castor-Pollux to have enough permeability to enable the well to be used for pilot production.

The Mahalo 3 well at its ATP 337P Mahalo asset lies about 260km west of Gladstone in central Queensland and was drilled to target the shallow Bandanna formation.

Comet Ridge managing director Tor McCaul said, "The joint venture was pleased with the well result and it was a great start to the pilot drilling programme at Mahalo."

The well has been cased for production and the rig has been moved to Mahalo 6, which was spud on Sunday 22 July.

Mahalo 6 will be drilled to a total depth of 300m and is also targeting the Castor-Pollux seam in the Bandana Formation.

Mahalo 4 was due to be the next well in the four-pilot well drilling sequence, but unseasonal rainfall in the area has changed the drilling sequence to test the driest sites first.