Westside Corp. Ltd., Sydney, has spudded Glenlyon-1 in the Galilee basin 70 km south of Richmond, Qld., as the first of as many as four coalbed methane exploratory wells.

Glenlyon-1, in ATP 974P, is to determine the gas content and composition of the Permian Betts Creek and Aramac coal measures starting at about 1,000 m and present throughout the basin.

WestSide has a 51% operating interest in ATP 974P and ATP 978P in joint venture with Mitusi E&P Australia Pty. Ltd. which has a 49% interest in both. The two blocks total more than 14,000 sq km.

The other planned wells in the initial program are Essex Downs-1 in ATP 974P and Dunluce-1 and Malakoff-1 in ATP 978P.