Hyterra (ASX:HYT) began a comprehensive 12-month exploration work program with two firm wells in the drilling sequence, starting in April, at the Nemaha hydrogen project in Kansas, according to a Thursday Australian bourse filing.

A work-over rig is onsite to convert the Sue Duroche 3 exploration well into a monitoring well within the coming days. Long-term surface pressure and gas monitoring data will be acquired over the coming months.

The monitoring stage is required to ensure the best possible well test is performed, because there is not yet a clear methodology for testing a hydrogen well. The decision to execute an extended well test will be made after the back-to-back wells are finished.

Another rig is being mobilized to the Blythe 13-20 well site and is on track to spud the well around May 20.

Its seismic acquisition program was completed by Paragon Geophysical on time and on budget.

Hyterra's shares jumped 6% on market close on Thursday.