Kimberley said the workovers, which were designed to increase oil production from the existing wells, will consist of plugging off a zone which has been watered out and perforating an alternative known oil-bearing horizon. Following this, a pump will be installed (or reinstalled) to provide a continuing production test.

"The initial well to be worked over will be the currently inactive Blina-2. This will be followed by Blina-6 (inactive) and Blina-1 (currently a low volume producer)," the company said. "These workovers should take about four to seven days each, depending on time taken to remove existing equipment from each hole."

Kimberley said the incremental oil produced will be recovered through the existing production facilities and sold under the present sales contract with the additional sales revenue to be received within two months of production.

Kimberley told the market that the three workovers will be carried out by experienced operators using a hired mobile crane.

The company added its wholly-owned oil drilling rig, Rig-6, is currently being refurbished in Derby, and should be available for the proposed new well, Blina-9, in about four weeks, and could be used for subsequent, more difficult workovers.