Sound Energy (LON:SOU) told investors it is preparing for the start of production from the Nervesa gas field in early February.
The Italy and Morocco focussed company, in a broader portfolio update, highlighted that works to connect the Nervesa well to the national gas export pipeline began on December 21, and are expected to be complete by January 15.
Field start up is then expected to follow final safety, pressure and control system tests. The company is currently targeting the first week of February for the start-up.
Separately, at the Badile project, Sound has upgraded its estimate for the chance of success at an upcoming well.
It now believes the well has a 34% chance of success, up from 22%. This comes after the company acquired additional stratigraphic information about the area.
The plan is to bring in a partner via a farm out process, which begin once the company has been given final permission to drill from the Italian authorities. The company today said it expects this approval to come at the end of January, at the forthcoming "Conferenza dei Servizi" hosted by the Italian Ministry of Economic Development.
Elsewhere in Italy, the company intends to reclassify the Laura project, which is currently considered to be an offshore project although it is planned that the drilling site would be at an onshore location.
It comes after the Italian Parliament recently revised the offshore permitting legislation, reintroducing ban on drilling activity within 12 nautical miles from the coastline.
At the Tendrara project, onshore Morocco, where an initial two well programme is planned, the company expects ground works to begin during February.
Sound said it had now signed a letter of intent for a rig with contractor Entrepose Drilling Morocco.