Novus said interpretation of test results from the Tibat-1 exploration well confirmed a 185m gross hydrocarbon column was intersected during drilling. Testing of zones resulted in a flow of between 10 to 12 million cubic feet of gas to flare, with condensate rates up to 75 barrels.

Novus said a development will likely consist of a single platform and a pipeline, which will be tied back to either the Bukha platform or direct to the Rakgas plant in Northern Ras-al-Khaimah.

Novus added that the Tibat wildcat, if used in the development, would either be the platform location or tied in subsea to a platform located on the structure.

Testing revealed high levels of nitrogen that surprised Novus, however, "at the levels indicated, nitrogen of itself will not prevent a development, although it may add to the capital costs," said Novus managing director, Dr Bob Williams.