• The mine required access to a target seam via a new box cut, targeting unmined coal.

• Piezometer data showed hydrostatic pressure (~2300 kPa) and gas content up to 12 m³/t (methane) at  shallow depths.

• High pressure and gas content created safety risks, potentially creating an unsafe explosive loading and mining environment.

• SIS drill pad was set outside the mining area at elevation for safety and access.

• Three build sections (~1500m each, 45° entry) were drilled from the pad, each branching into two  ~500m laterals, providing six lateral wells through the target area.

• Total meters drilled: 6,309m.

• Drilling completed in 4.5 months (18.7 m/hr average drilling rate).

• Lucas Drilling provided full in-house support: well planning, drilling engineering, geosteering, steering, and project management.

• The proposed design of three wells each with a lateral pump provided drainage redundancy to ensure success.

• Detailed engineering (post tender) reduce  project duration by 45% and locked in significant project savings.

• Hard, non-porous tuffs and high methane caused major fluid losses and required a switch to  foam drilling.

• Rig operated from an 80m x 40m pit bench.

• Pressurised seam below the water table required balanced, then underbalanced, drilling.

• Water delivery challenges impacted progress.

• Frequent use of lost circulation material (LCM) and aerated fluids was needed.

• SIS well design and underbalanced drilling enabled safe completion of the laterals.

• A robust risk assessment process and real-time  rig monitoring provide excellent guidance for decision making.

• Lucas Drilling’s integrated project delivery and collaboration with the client, client consultant and site teams ensured success.

• Frequent budget review and cost tracking ensured the project budget was not exceeded

• Adaptability and resilience overcame geological and operational challenges