Also scheduled for March is the appointment of a reserves expert and the beginning of the reserves certification process, which will be followed by the start of the public consultation period.

A reserves report is expected to be delivered around July, which will be followed by the granting of the pipeline licence and petroleum lease, subject to Ministerial approval.

Testing of the pilot is continuing, with the target to deliver first gas to market in early 2005 after the initial technical feasibility study of the development is completed.

In the last two weeks, QGC recorded combined gas flows of over one million cubic feet per day (mcfd) from its Berwyndale South and Argyle wells. At Berwyndale South in ATP632P, gas rates have reached 377 mcfd.

Managing director Richard Cottee said work was progressing on detailed plans for the Berwyndale South development as well as the 10 km lateral pipeline which will link the field to the existing Roma to Brisbane Pipeline.