** Shares of Central Petroleum Ltd CTP.AX rise 1.8% to A$0.057, their highest levels since Nov 7, 2024
** The oil and gas explorer completes drilling of first of two wells at its Mereenie development wells in Northern Territory
** Says completion is earlier than expected in response to gas shortages in the Northern Territory
** Says the second well was also spudded
** Co adds that the two wells expected to produce at least 25 PJ of gas over their lifetime
** About 1.1 mln shares change hands, 2.3x the 30-day average of 462,125
** Stock up 10.4% in 2024
(Reporting by Jasmeen Ara Shaikh in Bengaluru)
((Jasmeenaraislam.shaikh@thomsonreuters.com))