LONDON (Alliance News) - Europa Oil and Gas (Holdings) PLC Wednesday said it has made a number of applications for onshore blocks under the UK's 14th onshore oil and licensing round.
On Tuesday, the Oil and Gas Authority offered companies 27 onshore blocks to take the first step to giving the green light to fracking in the UK after the government's decision last week to fast-track fracking applications to prevent lengthy delays in order to encourage the shale industry to counter dwindling homegrown oil and gas production, mainly from the North Sea.
The 27 onshore blocks were awarded to listed companies IGas Energy PLC and Egdon Resources PLC and a number of other non-listed entities. Europa Wednesday said it has not been awarded any licences under the first tranche.
A second group of 132 further blocks has been subjected to a further, more detailed assessment under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 which will be issued sometime later in 2015.
"Europa has made a number of applications for onshore blocks as it looks to complement its portfolio of producing assets in the UK. None of these applications were for blocks awarded in this first tranche," said Europa.
"Europa looks forward to further announcements from the Oil and Gas Authority with great interest," it added.
Other listed companies thought to have also potentially made applications under the larger second tranche are Infrastrata PLC, Enegi Oil PLC, Alkane Energy PLC and Celtique Energy which is not listed but works with numerous companies including Egdon, Europa and Union Jack Oil PLC on the Wressle-1 discovery.
The licensing round was launched on July 28, 2014 and closed on October 28, 2014. A total of 95 applications were received from 47 companies covering 295 blocks.
Europa shares were down 1.5% to 5.05 pence per share on Wednesday morning.
By Joshua Warner; joshuawarner@alliancenews.com; @JoshAlliance
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