ADX Energy has flicked the switch on its Upper Austrian shallow gas ambitions, spudding the HOCH-1 as the opening shot in a three-well campaign chasing up to 17.3 billion cubic feet of gas (Bcf).

With the drill bit already biting, the company is forecasting a brisk two-week window to reach total depth and size up the prize.

The well was spudded on April 16 and quickly drilled to 96m, pointing to a smooth shift from rig-up to active drilling. The program has been designed for speed, with the first hole section planned to about 430m before casing is cemented, then a final push to a target depth of 1430m.

HOCH-1 is zeroing in on shallow gas within the Miocene Hall formation, a tried-and-tested sandstone system known for robust production. Nearby wells tapping the same horizons have delivered flow rates of up to 9 million standard cubic feet per day, equivalent to about 1,500 barrels of oil, underscoring the potential for quick-cycle output.

Beneath the surface, the target has been refined using three-dimensional seismic and amplitude versus offset analysis, mapping a stratigraphic pinch-out trap backed by direct hydrocarbon indicators. The well is targeting the structural sweet spot, where a three-way dip closure and an up-dip seal combine to create a compelling trap geometry.

Resource estimates for the HOCH structure land at a mean of 8.0 billion cubic feet of gas (Bcf), with a high of 17.3Bcf. Seismic signatures also suggest the reservoir may extend beyond the core target zone, opening the door for broader drainage potential and additional follow-up drilling opportunities.

HOCH-1 is the first of three shallow gas prospects permitted for drilling in 2026.

The spud follows earlier plans that made HOCH-1 the spearhead of a wider drilling campaign aimed at building a meaningful Upper Austrian production base.

The second well will test the GOLD prospect, 40km east in the ADX-AT-II licence, where the company holds a 100 per cent interest.

Back in the ADX-AT-I area, where ADX holds a 50 per cent stake, the third well, dubbed SCHOE, will be drilled immediately south of HOCH. Both wells are targeting biogenic gas in the Miocene Hall formation, defined using a consistent seismic-driven playbook.

Across its Upper Austria footprint, the company has also assembled a suite of up to ten additional shallow gas prospects, several of which have already been matured to drill-ready status using basin-wide seismic interpretation and data-led targeting. ADX says its growing inventory is likely to provide a runway for sustained exploration success beyond the initial campaign.

Notably, the pathway to production looks refreshingly short. Existing pipeline infrastructure sits within about 2km of the well location, offering a direct route to market in the event of discovery. Management is also eyeing a cluster-style development model, where multiple finds can be tied together through shared facilities to amplify returns.

Supportive macro tailwinds are adding extra weight to the story. European gas markets remain tight amid ongoing supply disruptions and policy shifts favouring domestic energy sources, helping to sustain elevated pricing and strengthen project economics.

At the same time, ADX is keeping multiple plates spinning. Appraisal and flow testing at its deeper Welchau oil and gas play is progressing, which brings an additional layer of scale and optionality to its Austrian portfolio.

With HOCH-1 now drilling and two more wells waiting in the wings, ADX appears to be hitting full stride, combining speed, simplicity and scalable strategy in a campaign that could quickly translate exploration wins into tangible production and cash flow.

Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: matt.birney@wanews.com.au