STOCK WATCH

THE remarkable rise of oil and gas group Empyrean Energy continued as it announced a major gas discovery in California.

The AIM-darling reported that the operator of its Dempsey well has encountered a potential sandstone reservoir holding high levels of gas.

Empyrean is exploring the area to calculate the true extent of the discovery.

Shares in the explorer rose 40.7pc, or 6.25p, to 21.62p, and are up an incredible 761.5pc this year.