MEO Australia said it has been advised by the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator (NOPTA) that the Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands Offshore Petroleum Joint Authority has approved applications for work program variations for Exploration Permits AC/P50 and AC/P51 in the Vulcan Sub-Basin.
MEO applied for the work program variation to allow additional geotechnical studies to be completed ahead of requirement to drill a well in each of the permits.
The planned studies will focus on reducing the geological risk inherent in the identified prospects, enhancing existing leads and developing new plays ahead of permit renewal in April 2015, MEO said in a statement.