DNO International reports that a well was drilled to a total depth of 1.898 metres in the Yaalen-3 in Block 47 in Yemen. Two oil bearing intervals were encountered in the Qishn sandstones.

The total combined net thickness was around 20 metres, and will now be tested. DNO believes the combined gross resource potential of the two discoveries could be ten billion barrels of oil.

"With the encouraging results observed in Yaalen-3, it is likely that a development plan will be prepared and filed with the Yemen authorities later this year", according to a statement from DNO.

DNO holds a 40 per cent interest in block 47.

More wells planned

A second well on the Sharnah discovery is planned to be drilled towards the end of the second quarter.

DNO also plans to drill three additional development wells on the Bayfoot-8 field in 2010.