ADX Energy has started drilling the Hochfeld-1 (HOCH-1) shallow gas exploration well in the ADX-AT-I exploration licence in Upper Austria.

The Australia-based company holds a 50% economic interest in the HOCH prospect and serves as operator.

Drilling activity had reached 96m measured depth using the MD-150 rig operated by MND Drilling & Services.

Hochfeld-1 represents the first of three shallow gas prospects for ADX Energy in 2026. Subsequent wells are planned at the GOLD-1 and SCHOE-1 sites across the ADX-AT-I and ADX-AT-II licence areas.

The current drilling programme aims for a total measured depth of around 1,430m, or a true vertical depth of 1,145m, with the operation scheduled to take approximately 14 days.

The process will next advance to 430m before 7in casing is set and cemented, then continue with a 6⅛-in hole section to the target depth.

If gas is detected, ADX Energy plans to case and suspend the well for future production testing to assess reserves. Hochfeld-1 targets sandstones of the Miocene-age Hall formation, in which the biogenic gas content has been estimated at 99% methane.

ADX Energy’s assessment places the mean prospective resource at eight billion cubic feet (bcf) for the HOCH prospect, and the high case prospective resource at 17.3bcf, calculated using SPE-PRMS (2018) standards.

Comparable wells in the Hall formation regionally have produced initial rates of up to nine million standard cubic feet per day, roughly equating to 1,500 barrels of oil equivalent per day.

Technical planning for the well utilised 3D seismic data, with the company identifying amplitude anomalies and a Class 3 amplitude versus offset response.

These features outline the stratigraphic pinch-out trap and provide a direct hydrocarbon indicator. The well location is situated on the east-south-east structural crest of the prospect, characterised by a three-way dip closure and updip pinch-out seal.

ADX Energy has identified up to ten shallow gas prospects on its two Austrian permits, which are concentrated on similar Miocene-age reservoirs.

Following completion of the Hochfeld-1 programme, the company intends to drill SCHOE-1 after GOLD-1, with SCHOE situated immediately south of Hochfeld-1.

According to ADX Energy, the HOCH-1 and SCHOE prospects are regarded as technically independent.

If both locations yield commercial volumes, ADX Energy may pursue a cluster development to use joint processing and pipeline infrastructure, as the existing Upper Austrian pipeline grid is located approximately 2km from the Hochfeld-1 site.

The company’s internal analysis states that an 8bcf discovery at Hochfeld-1, at prevailing European gas prices, would generate gross revenue exceeding €120m ($141.2m).

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