ADX Energy Posts 3.15 MMCFPD Water-Free Gas Flow From Four Zones at HOCH-1
Key Takeaways
- HOCH-1 flowed commingled gas from Zones 2, 3, 4 and 5 at an average 3.15 MMCFPD (548 BOEPD) over 12 hours, with all Phase 1 zones delivering water-free gas — a material commercial de-risking outcome.
- Zone 2 alone delivered 2.7 MMCFPD with a sand extent of at least 600 metres from the wellbore, indicating strong lateral reservoir continuity before commingled testing even began.
- Post-drill 3D seismic mapping has identified Hall Channel sands extending at least 2.5 km to the south-east, with historic well data from F-001 (2.8 km east) supporting gas reservoir presence in deeper Zones 6 to 8.
- Pressure buildup results are expected within two weeks and will directly inform reserves determination — the step that converts HOCH-1 from a discovery into a bookable asset.
- Two additional fully permitted shallow gas prospects — GOLD-1 (8.3 BCF P(mean), 100% interest) and SCHOE-1 (6.3 BCF P(mean), 50% interest) — are scheduled for drilling in 2026, with European TTF gas pricing at EUR 69/MWh (US$138/bbl equivalent) underpinning the commercial case.
ADX Energy‘s Hochfeld-1 (HOCH-1) shallow gas well has flowed commingled gas from Zones 2, 3, 4 and 5 at an average 3.15 MMCFPD (548 BOEPD) over a 12-hour period. The result — water-free gas across all Phase 1 zones tested — reduces commercial risk and moves the Upper Austrian well closer to a reserves booking.
HOCH-1 flows commingled gas at 3.15 MMCFPD as three additional zones deliver water-free gas
ADX Energy has reported positive flow results from the second Phase 1 test at its HOCH-1 shallow gas exploration well in Upper Austria. The well flowed commingled gas from Zones 2, 3, 4 and 5 at an average rate of 3.15 MMCFPD (548 BOEPD) over 12 hours. All three newly tested zones (3, 4 and 5) delivered water-free gas during clean-up, confirming reservoir quality across the upper section of the well.
The well is now shut in with downhole gauges recording pressure buildup, which will inform reserves determination. ADX operates HOCH-1 and holds a 50% economic interest in the HOCH prospect, located within the ADX-AT-I exploration licence.
Water-free gas across all Phase 1 zones tested to date provides confidence in the well’s future commerciality. The testing program is divided into two phases: Phase 1 targets two upper Hall zones plus one Hall Channel zone, while Phase 2 will focus exclusively on deeper Hall Channel zones.
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Inside the Phase 1 testing results
The HOCH-1 well encountered up to eight gas reservoirs across two formations — the Hall basin floor fan formation and the Base Hall Channel formation. Testing has proceeded in two phases, with Phase 1 currently shut in to record pressure buildup ahead of further testing.
First flow test (Zone 2)
The initial test targeted Zone 2, which produced water-free gas at a stable flow rate averaging 2.7 MMCFPD (450 BOEPD) over an 11-hour period (announced 23 June 2026). Pressure buildup analysis indicated excellent reservoir productivity with potential flow of 3.5 MMSCFPD and sand extent of at least 600 metres from the wellbore.
That 600-metre figure tells you the reservoir is laterally continuous, not isolated. The greater the sand extent, the larger the recoverable gas volume.
Second flow test (Zones 3, 4 and 5)
The second test followed a staged approach:
- Zones 4 and 5 were perforated and tested, but relative flow rates were inconclusive, likely due to Zone 2’s greater permeability dominating the result.
- Zone 3 was subsequently perforated and cleaned up, confirming additional gas flow.
- Zones 2, 3, 4 and 5 were then commingled and flowed at an average 3.15 MMCFPD (548 BOEPD) over 12 hours.
- The well was shut in with downhole gauges to record pressure buildup for reserves determination.
| Test Phase | Zone(s) | Flow Rate (MMCFPD) | BOEPD | Key Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Test | Zone 2 | 2.7 | 450 | Water-free gas, 600m+ sand extent |
| Second Test | Zones 2, 3, 4, 5 (commingled) | 3.15 | 548 | Water-free gas from all zones |
Positive results from all zones tested during Phase 1 reduce the well’s commercial risk. Pressure buildup data, expected in approximately two weeks, will inform reserves determination.
Why shallow gas testing matters for investors
Three technical concepts determine whether HOCH-1 becomes a commercial well: commingled flow, water-free gas, and pressure buildup testing.
Commingled flow means gas from multiple reservoir zones flows through the same production string simultaneously. You test zones together to assess their combined productivity. A commingled rate of 3.15 MMCFPD from four zones tells you the well has commercial flow potential, particularly when Zone 2 alone delivered 2.7 MMCFPD.
Water-free gas signals reservoir quality. Gas reservoirs often produce water alongside hydrocarbons, which requires separation and disposal infrastructure. Water-free gas production reduces operating costs and indicates a clean, high-quality reservoir. That all Phase 1 zones produced water-free gas is a material de-risking factor.
Pressure buildup testing occurs when a well is shut in after a flow period. Downhole gauges measure how quickly reservoir pressure recovers. The rate of recovery tells you reservoir permeability, drainage area, and ultimately the volume of gas in place. This data feeds directly into reserves determination — the step that converts a discovery into a bookable asset.
The two reservoir types in HOCH-1 have different geometries. Hall zones are characterised as more evenly distributed basin floor fan reservoirs, meaning they spread laterally across a broader area. Hall Channel zones are elongated lens-shaped channel reservoirs, meaning they are narrower but potentially extend over significant distances along the channel axis. That distinction matters when estimating reserves: fan reservoirs offer predictable lateral continuity, while channel reservoirs carry higher lateral extension upside if mapping confirms connectivity.
Positive flow from every zone tested reduces risk and moves the well closer to a commercial reserve booking.
Deeper zones and the lateral extension upside
Post-drill mapping has revealed material reserves upside beyond the immediate HOCH-1 wellbore. ADX used reprocessed pre-stacked depth migrated (New PSDM) 3D seismic data to map Hall Channel sands intersected in the deeper section of the well. The mapping, combined with well correlation to nearby historic wells, indicates potential for large lateral extension of several sand bodies, particularly Zone 3 and Zone 6.
The mapping shows the Hall Channel sands extend at least 2.5 km to the south-east, intersecting a previously drilled downdip well designated M-001. That 2.5 km extension tells you the stratigraphic trap is not confined to the HOCH-1 location — the reservoir likely holds materially more gas than a single wellbore can access.
Water-free gas flows from Hall Channel formations (Zones 4 and 5) in Phase 1 provide confidence that the deeper, potentially laterally extensive Zones 6 to 8 are also gas-filled. One of the lower Hall Channel sands planned for Phase 2 testing has a large stratigraphic trap area mapped on 3D seismic and confirmed by nearby well data. Well logs and gas shows from a historic well approximately 2.8 km to the east of HOCH-1 (F-001, drilled 1966) support this interpretation. Modern petrophysics interpretation of the F-001 logs indicates gas reservoir presence.
Ian Tchacos, ADX Executive Chairman
“The positive flow results from all HOCH-1 well zones tested to date is very encouraging in terms of the determination of a commercial reserve for the well. The results from Phase 1 also provide confidence that deeper, yet to be tested zones are likely to be gas filled and can potentially provide a significant reserves contribution given their lateral extent based on 3D seismic mapping and well correlation.”
Lateral extension implies material potential reserves upside beyond the immediate well. If Zones 6 to 8 flow at similar rates to the Phase 1 zones and the mapped extension holds, HOCH-1’s reserves base could expand significantly.
The European gas price backdrop
HOCH-1’s timing coincides with ongoing European gas supply tightness. The continent remains heavily dependent on imports, and European-sourced gas carries a strategic premium in a supply-short market.
At the time of the announcement, the European TTF gas hub price stood at EUR 69 per MWh, equivalent to US$23 per MMBTU and an oil price equivalent of US$138 per barrel. That pricing context tells you Austrian shallow gas production generates materially higher netbacks than comparable projects in oversupplied jurisdictions. Domestic gas avoids import costs, transport losses, and geopolitical supply risk.
The strategic importance of European-sourced gas enhances the value of ADX’s shallow gas drilling programme in Austria. A commercial reserve booking at HOCH-1 locks in exposure to that pricing environment.
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What’s next for the HOCH-1 programme
Pressure buildup results from the current shut-in period are expected in approximately two weeks. That data will inform reserves determination and guide the Phase 2 testing programme.
Phase 2 will test at least two deeper Hall Channel zones. A workover rig is required to drill out a cement plug to access the deeper zones. ADX stated the availability of a workover rig will be determined during the coming weeks.
HOCH-1 is the first of three shallow gas prospects in ADX’s Upper Austrian portfolio. Two additional prospects are fully permitted for drilling in 2026:
- GOLD-1 shallow gas well: 8.3 BCF P(mean) Prospective Resource at 100% economic interest
- SCHOE-1 shallow gas well: 6.3 BCF P(mean) Prospective Resource at 50% economic interest
These are Prospective Resources (reporting date 3 March 2026), meaning they are undiscovered accumulations. Further exploration and appraisal evaluation is required to determine the existence of a significant quantity of potentially moveable hydrocarbons.
The two near-term catalysts — pressure buildup results and Phase 2 testing — will determine whether HOCH-1 transitions from discovery to commercial reserve. If the deeper zones flow at similar rates to Phase 1 and the mapped lateral extension holds, ADX’s Upper Austrian shallow gas portfolio shifts from prospective to producing.
Want to Track ADX’s Shallow Gas Testing Programme?
Water-free gas from all Phase 1 zones tested and mapped lateral extension of up to 2.5 km position HOCH-1 as a potential commercial reserve ahead of Phase 2 testing. Pressure buildup results due in approximately two weeks will inform reserves determination and guide testing of deeper Hall Channel zones.
With two additional fully permitted shallow gas prospects (GOLD-1 and SCHOE-1) scheduled for drilling in 2026, ADX’s Upper Austrian portfolio offers exposure to European gas pricing in a supply-tight market. Visit the ADX Energy investor centre to access technical updates, drilling schedules, and reserves reporting as the testing programme advances.