HOCH-1 Well Completed with Eight Gas Reservoirs Ahead of Testing
ADX Energy has advanced its HOCH-1 shallow gas well in Upper Austria by mobilising surface testing equipment ahead of a planned two-phase production test targeting multiple gas zones.
- HOCH-1 well completed with eight gas reservoirs identified
- Production testing to occur in two phases focusing on Hall and Base Hall formations
- Perforation scheduled imminently with sequential sand interval testing
- ADX holds 50% interest and operates the ADX-AT-I licence
- Two additional shallow gas prospects permitted for drilling in 2026
Surface Testing Equipment Mobilised for Production Phase
ADX Energy Ltd (ASX:ADX) has taken a key step towards unlocking production potential from its HOCH-1 shallow gas well in Upper Austria by mobilising surface testing equipment to the site. The move precedes rig up and pressure testing of surface facilities, scheduled prior to the upcoming perforation and production testing phases. This operational progression follows the well’s completion on 15 May 2026 and marks a transition from drilling to flow evaluation.
Multiple Gas Reservoirs Targeted in Two-Phase Testing
The HOCH-1 well, drilled and cased within the ADX-AT-I exploration licence where ADX holds a 50% economic interest, encountered up to eight gas reservoirs across the Hall and Base Hall formations. Production testing is planned in two distinct phases: the first focusing on the upper Hall formation with up to three firm gas zones and a potential fourth contingent zone, and the second targeting the lower Base Hall formation. The testing sequence will involve sequential perforation of sand intervals, followed by brief clean-up flows, with flow periods adjusted based on each zone’s inflow performance.
HOCH-1 Part of Broader Shallow Gas Campaign in Upper Austria
HOCH-1 is the first of three shallow gas prospects slated for drilling in Upper Austria this year. ADX has permits in place for two additional wells in 2026, signalling a broader campaign to delineate and develop the region’s gas resources. The company’s technical director, Paul Fink, has reviewed the well data and considers the resource estimates to be fairly represented, lending credibility to the potential scale of the project.
Next Steps and Market Implications
Perforation of the HOCH-1 well is planned imminently, with the sequence of sand interval testing to be calibrated in real time based on reservoir response. ADX has committed to providing testing results as they become available, which will be critical for assessing the well’s commercial viability and informing development decisions. Given the strategic location of the ADX-AT-I licence and the ongoing European gas market dynamics, these results could have notable implications for ADX’s asset valuation and future production profile.
Bottom Line?
ADX’s upcoming production tests at HOCH-1 will be pivotal in validating reservoir productivity and shaping its Upper Austria development strategy.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the production testing confirm commercial flow rates across the multiple gas zones?
- How might results from HOCH-1 influence the timing and scope of the two additional permitted wells?
- What impact could successful shallow gas production have on ADX’s positioning amid European gas supply challenges?
