(Alliance News) - Europa Oil & Gas Holdings PLC on Monday said the Irish government has approved its application for a 12-month extension to the first phase of Frontier exploration licence 2/13 to July 4 next year.
Europa has a 100% interest in licence which is located on the west flank of the South Porcupine basin and includes the Kiely prospects and the Doyle Cretaceous channel complex. The 280 million barrel Kiely East prospect is the top ranked prospect on the licence, Europa noted.
The exploration and development company said the next steps for the licence include integration of 3D seismic data with particular focus on mapping the extension of Kiely East into open acreage to the south of the licence.
A site survey application for a drilling location on Kiely East is also in process, Europa said.
"Today's extension enables us to press on with preparations to drill an exploration well to test the 280 million barrel Kiely East prospect," said Europa Chief Executive Hugh Mackay.
"I look forward to providing further updates on our progress, not just at Frontier exploration licence 2/13, but across our multistage portfolio of licences in Ireland and onshore UK," added Mackay.
Europa shares were trading 3.6% lower in London at 2.60 pence each on Monday.