The well, which spudded on Saturday, has a planned total depth of 2500m, targets the top Algebuckina Sandstone, Poolowanna Formation and the Tirrawarra Sandstone as its primary objectives.

Managing director John Heugh told PNN that Blamore-1 was the most important well to be drilled in Central Australia since 1982 as it marked the start of a major exploration program since that time.

Blamore-1 is to be followed by up to three coal seam methane exploration wells, the first stage of exploration for resources that Central estimates to be 34-70 trillion cubic feet recoverable.

These will be followed by the Simpson-1 oil well, which is targeting up to 70MMbbl of oil recoverable.

Some of the CSM wells will also test deeper oil and gas potential in conventional reservoirs.

Heugh had said during the Excellence in Oil & Gas Conference in May that subject to drilling success and the results of new seismic, Heugh said Central might keep the rig in the Pedirka to drill additional prospects before releasing it for the 2008 Amadeus Basin drilling program, which will include Mt Kitty-1 and Ooraminna-2.