Tullow Oil chief executive Aidan Heavey saw his total remuneration package increase to almost €1.66 million in 2009, from about €1.63 million a year earlier.

Mr Heavey’s 2009 base salary of more than €666,000 was topped up with a cash bonus of close to €500,000 and shares worth almost €360,000. His pension fund was boosted by almost €100,000 and he received other benefits worth €34,562.

The total amount paid to Tullow’s executive directors last year came to €5,367,821, down slightly from €5,451,131 in 2008.