Aminex, the oil and gas development and production company, has increased its loss before tax from $1.6 million (€1.53 million) in 1997 to $9.6 million in 1998. Sales dropped by 32 per cent to $11.8 million. The latest results were affected by write-offs because of the state of the oil industry.

The Kirtayel development in Russia is now under way following the resolution of the court dispute. The group drilled three wells on the Dachnoye Field, Tatarstan and a fourth was started recently.