ADX Energy Builds Hochfeld-1 Case with Three Additional Water-Free Gas Flows

ADX Energy has recorded water-free gas flows from three additional zones at its Hochfeld-1 shallow gas exploration well in Upper Austria, strengthening the case for a commercial reserve as testing continues.

Hochfeld-1 was drilled and cased in May after encountering up to eight interpreted gas reservoirs within the Hall basin floor fan formation and Base Hall Channel formation. The second Phase 1 test culminated in commingled production from four zones averaging 3.15 million cubic feet per day (MMCFPD), equivalent to 548 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd), over a 12-hour flow period.

The result follows an earlier test that delivered a stable 2.7 MMCFPD, or 450 boepd, with subsequent pressure analysis indicating excellent reservoir productivity and a sand extent of at least 600 metres from the well bore. ADX has now shut in the well with downhole gauges recording pressure build-up data ahead of reserves determination and further testing of deeper Hall Channel targets.

ADX tested two upper Hall zones and a Hall Channel interval during Phase 1, with water-free gas confirmed from all zones assessed to date. The latest work added flow from three zones beyond the initial producing interval. The company considers the absence of water across the tested intervals encouraging for potential well commerciality.

New 3D seismic mapping and correlations with nearby wells indicate a potentially substantial extension of several Hall Channel sand bodies, including a mapped trap extending at least 2.5 km to the southeast.

“The positive flow results from all HOCH-1 well zones tested to date is very encouraging in terms of the determination of a commercial reserve for the well,” executive chair Ian Tchacos said. “The results from Phase 1 also provide confidence that deeper yet-to-be-tested zones are likely to be gas filled, and can potentially provide a significant reserves contribution given their lateral extent based on 3D seismic mapping and well correlation.”

ADX plans to test at least two deeper Hall Channel zones during Phase 2, with a workover rig required to drill out a cement plug before the lower intervals can be accessed. One planned deeper test zone has been mapped over a potentially large trap area using 3D seismic, with supporting well logs and gas indications correlated to a historical well about 2.8 km east of Hochfeld-1.

The company expects to report pressure build-up results from the current testing phase in approximately two weeks, while timing for Phase 2 will depend on workover rig availability over the coming weeks.

Hochfeld-1 was drilled in the ADX-AT-I exploration licence where ADX operates with a 50% economic interest in the Hoch prospect, and it is the first of three shallow gas prospects planned for the Upper Austrian program. Two additional shallow gas prospects are fully permitted for drilling in 2026, giving ADX further opportunities to test its Upper Austrian gas inventory following completion of the Hochfeld-1 program.