PA Resources (PAR) is preparing an updated plan of development for the Zarat field offshore Tunisia in cooperation with state oil company ETAP.

One aim is to maximize existing production infrastructure in the Gulf of Gabes. The program is expected to be completed in mid-2014.

Negotiations continue on the Zarat Unitization and Unit Operating Agreement. Now that an interim government is in place in Tunisia, PAR expects approval for the renewal of the Zarat license (Avenant 5) and completion of its farm-out to London-based EnQuest this spring.

The partners plan a production enhancement campaign on the offshore Didon field following last year’s upgrade of the production tanker. Recent studies confirm the viability of installing electrical submersible pumps (ESPs) in some of the current production wells.

The first of these ESP installations will start next month, with results to determine whether further drilling is needed to fully exploit the Didon field.

Drilling of an appraisal well on the offshore Elyssa structure is scheduled for late 2014 or early 2015.