Gas explorer Parkmead Group has found a new gas field in the North Sea.Dana Petroleum, which drilled the Pharos exploration well for Parkmead and its partners, discovered the field in the southern North Sea.Parkmead said it could develop Pharos jointly with the Platypus gas field, which is about nine miles from Pharos, increasing Platypus's value.Parkmead owns a fifth of Pharos, with other partners including Dana Petroleum, Dyas Exploration UK, MPX North Sea and Hansa Hydrocarbons. Parkmead's Executive Chairman Tom Cross said: "This success could add significant further value to the Platypus gas field, strengthening Parkmead's position in the UK Southern Gas Basin. It completes an excellent year of progress for Parkmead." Shares rose 0.25p to 13.75p at 14:51 in London.PW