The pair have come to a settlement agreement over exploration licence OPL 233 that has seen both of them “withdraw their respective litigation and arbitration claims”.

London-listed SacOil said on Tuesday that the agreement was reached “after careful consideration of the independent legal and financial opinion” provided to it.

SacOil chief executive Thabo Kgogo said: "This settlement removes any distraction in relation to our previous participation in OPL 233.