The Australian independent has, however, had to slow downdrilling at the Hammamet West-3 probe in the Bargou block off Tunisia as a resultf the gas shows.

The well, 15 kilometres from shore and 1.6 km east ofHammamet West-2, is being drilled to hit the Abiod formation reservoir.

High gas readings were detected in the interval between 3070metres to 3167 metres, with horizontal drilling already under way.

Analysis