NORTH Sea oil and gas veteran Bruce Dingwall has said the Trinity Exploration and Production business he heads in Trinidad will increase drilling after completing a restructuring in January which ended a period of uncertainty for the firm.

In a trading and operations update from Trinity, Mr Dingwall said the firm is planning an active work programme which will involve helping to slow the decline in output from existing onshore wells and bringing new ones into production.

The Aim-listed company believes the programme could help it increase production from 2,500 barrels oil per day to 3,000 bopd over the next 12 months.

Trinity also sees development potential in its acreage off the east coast of Trinidad.

The company said that following a significant reduction in its operating costs and overheads and the resultant increased margins, directors’ plans to develop its asset base are attractive, even at relatively low oil prices.

The statement follows a dramatic period for Trinity which Mr Dingwall established after building Aberdeen-based Venture Production into one of the biggest independents in the North Sea.

Trinity incurred hefty losses after writing down the value of its assets amid the crude price plunge which started in June 2014.

The company launched a strategic review in April 2015 and held talks with potential buyers of its assets before agreeing last December to complete a restructuring. This involved it raising $15m from investors and reaching an agreement with creditors.

On completion of the restructuring in January Mr Dingwall said it brought an end to a period of prolonged uncertainty for Trinity, and would provide a strong foundation for the company to develop its valuable interests.