Petroleum licences announced

The Government yesterday announced a new petroleum licensing round for blocks off the coast of northwest coast as part of a drive to open up areas with exploration potential.

The acreage on offer covers 65 full blocks and 12 part-blocks in the North East Rockall Basin, a 15,800 sq km area off the County Donegal coast.

“Much of Ireland's Atlantic Margin is under-explored and my concern is that every area of potential should be actively explored,” Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources John Browne said.