An assessment of one of the Irish exploration prospects in which French oil ‘super-major’ Total has invested has returned an initial resource estimate of around 12bn barrels of oil equivalent.

One of the world’s largest oil companies, France’s Total has signed two commercial development deals with Irish exploration company Providence Resources – a move which sent the latter’s shares soaring as much as 11% yesterday.

Irish Aircraft lessor Avolon is preparing for an initial public offering this year, according to sources.

FINANCES and family planning are more important to many marrying couples than love, according to a new survey.

US firefighters battled huge blazes early today, including one that burned homes and forced residents and visitors on Santa Catalina Island to flee the resort off the southern California coast.