Irish-managed exploration investment firm T5 Oil and Gas is believed to be still talking to UK explorer Gulf Keystone regarding a potential reverse takeover of the company.

Improved sentiment on Wall Street helped blue-chip shares shake off worries over Ukraine and wipe out early session losses.

Mining stocks suffered heavy losses today as fears over the impact of an imminent US government shutdown loomed over markets.

Hopes of an international compromise on the Syrian crisis fuelled gains on the FTSE 100 Index as oil prices also eased back from recent highs.