Tullow Oil chief executive Aidan Heavey has said he is very pleased with progress as he gave an update on the company's drilling in the North Sea.
The company said its Ketch-7 development well has been completed and tested at a rate of 45 mmscfd.
The Schooner NW appraisal well, in which Tullow has a 90 per cent stake, has encountered gas in the targeted Carboniferous reservoir section.
"Since acquiring the fields in early 2005 we have significantly improved reliability and uptime and are now materially enhancing production and reserve potential, " Heavey said.
"With the ongoing strength of UK gas pricing we are seeing excellent returns from these assets."
