ADX plans deeper gas tests after finds in Frankenmarkt

ADX Energy has reported further indications of natural gas at its Hochfeld 1 well in Frankenmarkt, in the Vöcklabruck district. The company plans to test deeper rock layers from mid-December, ORF reports.

The second phase of testing is expected to begin on December 15. The Austrian-Australian company intends to examine at least two deeper layers and says it is optimistic about finding more gas.

The well reaches about 1,700 metres underground. ADX says it has encountered eight gas-bearing zones so far, while data suggest three more could also contain gas.

ADX describes the drilling as promising and says it is targeting deposits at relatively shallow depths. The company says pressure and flow rates indicate a good supply of gas from the rock. It estimates the area has a mean resource potential of about 226 million cubic metres. Further tests will determine whether production is economically viable and at what scale.

ADX is also planning work at existing oil and gas fields in the Vienna Basin, which the company says could increase daily production by about 40 per cent.