The junior-listed FTSE AIM All Share Index closes up 0.4 percent tooutperform a 0.3 percent gain on the blue-chip FTSE 100 index.
The FTSE Small Cap Index rises 0.2 percent, while the FTSE 250mid-cap index advances by 0.3 percent.
Sterling Energy closes up 2.5 percent after it says it has starteddrilling at its Ntem concession in Cameroon.
"The large prospect could be worth more than 500p if drilling is successfulwith little downside if the well is dry. We remain Buyers," analysts at Liberumwrite in a note.
Antrim Energy surges 15.2 percent after it agrees to sell its UKsubsidiary Antrim Resources to First Oil Expro for $53 million plus certainliabilities.
Reuters messaging rm://alistair.smout.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net
