Regulatory Approvals

21 Dec 2009 07:00

DECC Approvals

The Directors of Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc are pleased to announce that the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has advised the company of the following:

1. Agreement to a 2 year extension of the PEDL143 licence, containing the

Holmwood Prospect, to October 2012 and

2. Agreement in principle* to a 6 month Extended Well Test on the Hykeham-1Z

well (PEDL150), anticipated to commence in late January 2010.

Paul Barrett, Managing Director of Europa, said `The PEDL143 extension is a response to the time taken to complete the planning process for the Holmwood-1 exploration well. We anticipate Surrey County Council Planning Department will be in a position to submit their recommendation to the Planning Committee in March 2010, which could see the well drilled in late 2010 or early 2011.

With regards to Hykeham, DECC have accepted Europa's technical arguments that a long test will be required to evaluate reserves volumes and plan for development.'

For further information, please contact:

Paul Barrett Europa Oil & Gas +44 1235 553 266

Jonathan Wright Seymour Pierce +44 20 7107 8000

* Subject to Planning Consent