Icon Energy said that the Etty-1 well in ATP 855 has spudded on Sunday. Etty-1, a vertical exploration well in ATP 855, will be drilled by the Ensign 965 rig to an expected depth of 3,800 metres to further evaluate the basin-centred gas play in the Queensland portion of the Nappamerri Trough. The Etty-1 vertical exploration well will be:

Located 8.6 kilometres east of Halifax-1;Specifically targeting the basin-centred gas potential of the Permian Formations, from top Toolachee to top Patchawarra Formation;Cased and suspended for fracture stimulation and production testing to assess deliverability of the basin-centred gas play.Etty-1 is the sixth well in ATP 855 following on from Halifax-1, Hervey-1, Keppel-1, Geoffrey- 1 and Redland-1, all of which confirmed the continuation of the basin-centred gas play in the Nappamerri Trough in Queensland. Notices of Petroleum Discovery have already been lodged with the Department of Natural Resources and Mines (DNRM) for Halifax-1, Keppel-1 and Redland-1.

The 2014 work program will include hydraulic stimulation and extended well testing commencing in the third quarter of 2014. This will involve optimisation of the hydraulic stimulation program which will focus on specific horizons in each well across the permit, subject to joint venture approval.