Incremental said excellent gas shows were encountered at intervals of between 334-343m, 346-352m and from 406-427m in the Kuzey Arpaci-1 well. Total gas readings in the lower interval were 0.8%, the highest levels recorded in the five wells drilled to date by the joint venture.

Drilling has now been suspended due to problems with the rig fuel plant.

But once the well is drilled to its total depth of 520m, it will be logged and production casing run.

The Kuzey Arpaci-1 is one of 17 structures mapped on the 2007 3D seismic. It is 1km northwest of Arpaci-1, which was drilled in 2006 and encountered gas in several sand intervals that are also being targeted in the current well.

Incremental holds a 55% stake in the Edirne licence, while Otto Energy has 35% and a Turkish company, Petraco, holds the remaining 10%.