The company said with the imminent drilling of the NSE-A1 well, full-scale development of the field would start with up to 19 wells in the NSE central fault and northern fault compartment targeting 2P and 3P reserves.

According to Carnarvon, NSE-A1 would be drilled immediately after casing has been set on L33-3 and the rig moved to the well site.

NSE-A1 is at the crest of the NSE central fault compartment, offsetting the L44H-D1 well, which is producing at 3300 barrels of oil per day.

An additional three deviated/horizontal development wells will be drilled in succession following NSE-A1.

According to Carnarvon, production is expected to increase significantly over the next 2-3 month with the drilling of the NSE-A1 well.

The company has built a tanker and refinery offloading facility with the capacity of about 15,000bpd of oil to ensure it can deliver as near-term production grows over the coming months.

Carnarvon also said a land purchase for drilling locations in the NSE north fault and central fault compartment is underway.

The new land is being purchased to increase the company's proved and probable reserves, according to Carnarvon.

In other company news, Carnarvon said it would begin testing the L33-3 exploration well on concession L33 after encountering a potential volcanic reservoir between 960-1084m.

Testing is expected to be completed within the next 10-14 days.

Meanwhile, testing on the L44H-D2 exploration well has been completed with failure to produce commercial hydrocarbons.

The main producing volcanic zone between 840-860m flowed at a restricted rate of about 600bpd of oil.

Carnarvon has a 40% stake in the Thailand projects while Pan Orient is the operator holding the remaining 60%.