Mineral Resources Limited (ASX:MIN) has reached the primary target of Kingia Sandstone in drilling operations at its Lockyer-2 conventional gas appraisal well.

Drilling began mid-March and the target was reached at 4,374 metres with low levels of background gas evident.

Drilling was completed at a total depth of 4,574 metres.

Lockyer-2 is a downdip, step-out appraisal well about 3.2 kilometres northeast of the Lockyer Deep-1 gas discovery.

The Lockyer-2 well is in the North Perth Basin within an exploration permit held in joint venture between Norwest Energy NL (ASX:NWE) at 20 per cent and Mineral Resources’ wholly owned subsidiary Energy Resources Limited (80 per cent and operator).

According to the company, the Kingia Sandstone reservoir is of excellent quality, but analysis of wireline data and sampling has indicated the reservoir is water saturated and the aquifer is at a much higher pressure than previously interpreted.

The Lockyer-2 well has been suspended for future potential use, while the Ensign Rig 970 will shortly mobilise for the drilling of the North Erregulla Deep-1 exploration well.