But the recent increase in gas prices to US$12 per million cubic feet was expected to compensate for the lower flow rates, which were consistent with the result for the Carden-3A well, said CEO Joe Salomon.

Meanwhile, the producing Carden-2A well has been fracced using gel-foam and nitrogen. This technique will also be used on the Koppers-7A and Carden-1A wells, which are scheduled for fracing next week.

Salomon said high activity levels in the US had caused scheduling problems for the fraccing operations, which required at least three different contractors and more than 15 trucks or semitrailers carrying nitrogen, pumping equipment and downhole operations equipment.

The project is adjacent to existing gas pipelines and its operator, Miller, has contracts with pipeline owners for gas delivery into the network

Norwest reported that the gathering pipeline for all five wells had been laid and was ready to take gas when production started.

Norwest has a 37.5% interest (about 29% net revenue interest) in the project, with operator Miller occupying the remaining 62.5% stake.