Harvest Natural Resources has highlighted the importance of a new exploration and production sharing agreement in Oman in its second-quarter financial results.

In a statement to shareholders, the Houston-based firm said that the contract covering block 64 of the Al Ghubar/Qarn Alam licence, signed in April, diversifies the company's operating portfolio, adding to international operations in Venezuela, Indonesia, West Africa and China.

"The company will have a 100 per cent working interest in the EPSA during the exploration phase. Oman Oil Company will have the option to back-in for up to a 20 percent interest in the block," Harvest commented.

Through to the end of June, the company spent $2.2 million developing the field and carrying out oil training initiatives in Oman, the company added.

Other operational highlights included increased oil production from the Petrodelta drilling programme and the commencement of drilling at the Antelope project located in the Uinta Basin of northeastern Utah.

The Antelope acquisition marked the company's first operation on home soil.

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