Antrim gets approval to increase working interest offshore Ireland

Ireland’s Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (DCENR) has given formal approval to Antrim Exploration, a subsidiary of Antrim Energy, for a 100 percent working interest application in Frontier Exploration Licence (FEL) 1/13, offshore Ireland.

Antrim Energy, a Calgary-based oil and gas exploration company with assets in the UK North Sea and Ireland, said on Monday that the initial three-year term of the full 15-year term for the FEL 1/13 will expire in July 2016. The initial term will be followed by additional three four-year terms.

Antrim said it has submitted a request to extend the first exploration term by an additional two years and this request requires the approval of the Irish authorities.

The company stated it has identified two highly prospective Jurassic fault blocks and one Cretaceous submarine fan system in the FEL 1/13 Licence, as well as numerous other leads.

Furthermore, the company is also currently seeking a new farm-in partner and operator to complete any additional technical work necessary during the period of any extension granted by the Irish authorities.

As a reminder, Kosmos Energy was Antrim’s partner and field operator with a 75 percent interest until the company announced in September 2015 that it will be pulling out of the deal.

The Frontier Exploration Licence 1/13 includes blocks 44/4, 44/5 (part), 44/9, 44/10, 44/14 and 44/15. It is collectively called the Skellig Block and is located in the Porcupine Basin, offshore Ireland.

Offshore Energy Today Staff