Offshore staff
CALGARY, Canada – Ireland’s Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources has granted Antrim Energy a 100% interest in frontier exploration license (FEL) 1/13 in the offshore Porcupine basin.
In 2013,Kosmos Energy farmed into Antrim’s licensing option over the Skellig block, awarded under Ireland’s 2011 Atlantic Margin Licensing Round.
Based on analysis of 3D seismic over the acreage, Kosmos prepared a prospect inventory which included two tilted Jurassic fault blocks and a Cretaceous submarine fan. However, the US operator decided to relinquish all interestsoffshore Ireland last September.
The new exploration license runs for 15 years comprising an initial three-year term followed by three four-year terms. Although the initial term is due to expire early next month, Antrim has submitted a request for a two-year extension.
It is seeking a new farm-in partner and operator to complete any additional technical work needed should the authorities approve the extension, possibly leading to drilling of a commitment well at the end of the revised first phase.
DCENR has also transferred Kosmos’ operated interests in FELs 2/13 and 3/13 toEuropa Oil & Gas.
Europa CEO Hugh Mackay said: “We believe that the North Atlantic contains two of the world’s exploration ‘hotspots.’ One is in theFlemish Pass basin offshore Newfoundland and the other is offshore west Ireland…
“We are focused on finding a suitable partner with whom we can look to prove our existing licenses via the drill bit.”
06/13/2016
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