Tullow Oil has announced the discovery of gas condensate at its Tweneboa-4 appraisal well off Ghana.

The London and Dublin-listed company also said this morning that it is commencing a major exploration and appraisal campaign in the Lake Albert Rift basin, onshore Uganda.

This follows the resolution of protracted ongoing issues with the Ugandan government last month. Two wells are expected to be drilled within the next two weeks the company said.

"These wells are the start of a major programme of exploration and appraisal drilling, seismic acquisition, and well testing to access the significant remaining upside potential in the basin and further expand the resource base for development" the company said in a market update.

The Tweneboa-4 appraisal well is the final well to be drilled in the Tweneboa appraisal programme and is "an important milestone" for the company, exploration director Angus Mc Coss said.

"The upcoming programme of well testing in the Tweneboa field, along with drilling and well testing in the Enyenra field, will provide essential information on well deliverability, dynamic reservoir connectivity and hydrocarbon volumes, which will be used to optimise our development plans for these major fields."

He also said that the recommencement of drilling activities in Uganda means that the company is planning a five-rig drill-out campaign in the second half of the year.