Senex Energy Ltd. said gas has flowed to surface at a rate of more than 2MMcf/d at the Hornet-1 unconventional gas exploration well in southern Cooper basin permit PEL 115.

The company completed a multi-zone fracture stimulation of the Hornet-1 well in March. The well was stimulated over the interval 2,484 m (8,154 ft) to 2,678 m (8,786 ft), targeting the tight gas sands of the Patchawarra formation, Senex said in a news release.

When Victoria Petroleum (now Senex) drilled Hornet-1 in 2004, gas shows were observed in the Epsilon and Patchawarra formations with gross calculated gas-bearing sandstones of 56 m (184 ft). Two drill stem tests were conducted on this well with gas flowing to surface.

Initial production testing and pressure monitoring at Hornet-1 will continue during April.

Senex is the operator with an 80% interest with Orca Energy Ltd. holding 20%.