Senex Energy Ltd. has made a gas discovery at its Skipton-1 unconventional gas exploration well in the South Australian Cooper basin, the company announced.

Senex drilled the Skipton-1 exploration well to test the unconventional gas potential of the shale and tight gas sands of the Roseneath-Epsilon-Murteree package as well as the tight gas sands and deep coal seams of the Patchawarra formation, according to a news release. Weatherford Rig 826 commenced drilling Aug. 15 and reached total depth of 3,124 m (10,249 ft) on Oct. 3. During drilling, Senex conducted a coring program and gathered more than 380 m (1,247 ft) of core from the target intervals. The well has been cased and suspended ahead of fracture stimulation.

Regional mapping indicates the trough surrounding Skipton-1 covers an area greater than 200 sq km (77 sq miles).

Senex is currently planning a hydraulic fracture stimulation campaign across three of its unconventional gas exploration wells: Talaq-1, Skipton-1, and Kingston Rule-1, the release said. The program, set to begin in December, will test gas quality and deliverability.

Skipton-1 is the third dedicated unconventional gas exploration well that Senex has drilled in 2012. The company plans to commence drilling its fourth operated unconventional gas well, Kingston Rule-1, in the coming week.