Origin Energy spokesman Wayne Gregory said it was impossible to estimate the flow at the moment and any figures produced would be pure speculation as the company is focused primarily on a safe clean up operation.

Gregory added that the site remains stable although gas and water continue to flow to atmosphere through the drill pipe and a water deluge system in place to minimise the risk of ignition.

A team of well-control experts has been on site since Saturday afternoon and has finalised procedures to re-establish control of the well. Equipment required for this operation has been sourced and is expected to be on site by the end of this week. A carefully supervised operation to re-establish control of the well will then be undertaken.

Meanwhile the ARC/Origin Energy Joint Venture in Western Australia’s L1 and L2 has had another successful strike with the Apium-1 well intersecting a 10 metre hydrocarbon column in the primary objective Dongara Sandstone.

However, initial core analysis, wireline log analysis and wireline pressure data indicates that the reservoir quality is poorer than that encountered in the recent Xyris gas discovery.

The hydrocarbons in the pay section are interpreted as most likely to be gas, although more data is required for confirmation. The well will now be cased for production testing to determine the nature of the hydrocarbons, their deliverability and commercial significance.

The Apium-1 well is located approximately three kilometres east of the Hovea Production Facility and two kilometres west of the recent Xyris 1 gas discovery.

Interests in L1 and L2 (excluding the Dongara, Mondarra and Yardarino fields) and Apium-1 are ARC Energy 50% (Operator) and Origin Energy Developments - 50%.