Oil and gas explorer San Leon Energy PLC (SLE.LN) said Thursday it has taken a step closer to proving the commercial viability of producing gas from the Baltic Basin in Poland, after its first shale gas exploration well in the Baltic Basin in Poland was successfully drilled.

San Leon Chairman Oisin Fanning said: "The successful drilling and data gathering at the Lewino 1G-2 well is a significant milestone for San Leon and our partnership with Talisman Energy."

The Talisman Energy Inc. (TLM) operated well, on the Gdansk West Concession in Poland, was drilled to 3,600 meters. San Leon said an evaluation of the core and logs is expected to take three to four months in preparation for continued operations later in 2012.

Shares at 0900 GMT were flat at 13.8 pence in a slightly lower Alternative Investment Market, down 0.6%

-By Iain Packham, Dow Jones Newswires; 44-20-7842-9269; iain.packham@dowjones.com