London-listed Indpendent Resources has a “significant” source of coal-bed methane at its Italian Fiume Bruna prospect near Grosseto, central Italy.

Italy’s first commercial development could be under way, the company said. Plans are afoot for new seismic surveys, pilot drilling and production testing after finding a seven-meter coal seam and associated gas.

To work its 267-square-kilometre Italian license, Independent will have to produce gas from coal before nature has done the work, as in a conventional oilfield.