Eni has signed an exploration and production-sharing agreement with the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, the Italian oil company’s latest expansion in the Middle East.

The agreement covers Block A offshore Ras Al Khaimah, one of the seven United Arab Emirates (UAE). It was signed between Eni and the emirate’s RAK Petroleum Authority, Eni said in a statement on April 18.

Block A is an area of 2,412 sq km. Eni will be the block’s operator, with a 90% participating interest, while RAK GAS will hold the remaining 10%.

Earlier this year, Eni pledged $3.3 billion to buy part of the world’s fourth-biggest refinery in the UAE, increasing its own refining capacity by more than a third.

In January the oil company of Sharjah, another emirate, awarded Eni concessions in three areas.

That same month Eni also signed an exploration and production agreement in neighboring Oman.