The Hungarian operator now intends to accelerate the work programme on the Akri-Bijeel block by deploying two additional rigs to carry out appraisal drilling and aims to submit a field development plan to the authorities by the end of 2014.

The company earlier this year made a second discovery at the block with the Bakrman-1 well in a Triassic reservoir - following up its earlier Bijell find in the Jurassic – where subsequent tests in the Kurra Chine B formation have confirmed the sustainability of long-term production.

Testing