The load of 233,000 barrels is good news for the cash-strapped independent, which picked up the producing field as it regroups on a disappointing exploration programme in Brazil's remote Amazon and off Namibia.

HRT closed on the $101 million deal with BP in January.

"This first month of HRT's operatorship, Polvo field produced uninterruptedly, without record of incidents," HRT said in a securities filing.

HRT