Privately owned Netherlands-based oil and gas explorers Oranje-Nassau Energie (ONE) and Dyas, both with a sizeable presence in the UK North Sea, have agreed to merge amid plans to boost output.

The combined entity, to be called ONE-Dyas, is expected to have 2019 production of 35,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day, they said.

The pair said they want to expand the North Sea-focused business and will have “readily available sources of financing to fund the growth ambitions”.