Daleel's 50:50 partners Petrogas of Oman and China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) will spend $360 million in coming years.

The are hoping to reach their target by 2011 or 2012, two years later than originally planned.

Daleel's output is now running at 16,000 bpd from Block 5, which has four producing fields.

Combined proven reserves are estimated at about 90 million barrels.

An aggressive drilling programme involving appraisal, production and water injection wells has helped to lift Daleel's output dramatically.

Production