THE chief executive of Premier Oil Tony Durrant has enjoyed a five per cent increase in the value of his total remuneration in a year in which the company made good progress in the North Sea.

The annual report for London-based Premier shows Mr Durrant earned total remuneration of £1.47m in 2017, compared with £1.4m in the preceding year. Mr Durrant earned £569,000 salary in both years. His bonus increased to £433,000 last year, from £378,400.

Premier achieved first oil from the giant Catcher field east of Aberdeen on schedule in December.