The test flowed at the maximum choke-constrained rate of 1.25 million cubic metres per day (45 million standard cubic feet per day) through a 25.4 millimetre (one inch) choke at a well head tubing pressure of 126,856 kilopascals (1,840 pounds per square inch). The test was conducted over the interval 2,004 to 2,013 metres.

Santos said the result was in line with their expectations.

"This is a promising result consistent with the core and log data collected in the well and our predrill expectations. This is a key milestone in the future development of the Casino gas field," said Santos Managing Director, John Ellice-Flint.

The successful production test follows on from the earlier announcement that Casino-3 had intersected a 20-metre net gas column in the target Waarre sandstone and that a single gas pool connects Casino-3 with the previously drilled Casino-2 well.

The Casino gas field - first discovered in September 2002 - is located about 29 kilometres south-west of Port Campbell and 250 kilometres south-west of Melbourne. The Casino-3 well is located approximately 3.3 kilometres northeast of Casino-1 and 2.4 kilometres northwest of Casino-2, which both intersected gas bearing Waarre sandstone reservoirs.

Partners are Santos (50%), AWE (25%) and Mitsui (25%).