The purity and potency of all the main illegal drugs is increasing in Europe, posing heightened dangers to users, drug experts have warned.

Drug consumption rooms can play a role in reducing overdoses and encouraging hard-core addicts into treatment, according to the EU drugs agency.

Fastnet Oil and Gas has said it is "very possible" it will expand its asset portfolio over the next 12 months, with it currently actively reviewing opportunities in eastern Africa.

Nine parties have expressed serious interest about investing in the Celtic Sea and onshore Moroccan assets of Irish exploration firm Fastnet Oil & Gas.

Fastnet Oil and Gas is expecting to seal a deal with a development partner for its highly-rated onshore Moroccan assets before the end of the year.

A record number of new synthetic drugs are being detected in Europe — but stretched agencies are unable to keep up with the dizzying array of substances because of budget cuts.

The EU drugs agency is in discussions with Uruguay about monitoring its landmark decision to legalise cannabis.

Fastnet Oil & Gas has said that although results were disappointing, the direct net exploration costs incurred by the company, from recent maiden drilling work at its interests offshore Morocco were less than $2.75m.

Shares in Irish explorer Fastnet Oil & Gas tumbled by 50% yesterday on the back of its maiden drilling round finding no commercial hydrocarbons.

Shares in Irish exploration firm, Fastnet Oil & Gas jumped nearly 6% yesterday, on the back of it revealing that initial result readings from 3D seismic surveys of its Celtic Sea assets have identified 22 “structures”, or indications of oil.

Fastnet Oil & Gas is set to name a farm-out partner for its offshore Morocco interests in the next fortnight, and one for its Celtic Sea interests within the first quarter of 2014.

The onshore Moroccan asset partially held by Irish exploration company Fastnet Oil & Gas is likely to hold more than double the amount of reserves than first anticipated, and could be worth nearly $60 million (€45m) to the Dublin firm.

Dublin-headquartered exploration firm Fastnet Oil & Gas will select a partner — from a shortlist of three — to help it develop its Celtic Sea assets before the end of the year.

Irish exploration firm, Fastnet Oil & Gas has expanded its presence in Morocco by acquiring a 37.5% operating share in an onshore acreage which could transform the north African country from a near total importer of gas to a net exporter.

Europe is being bombarded with a “relentless supply” of new synthetic drugs, posing unknown risks to users, the European drugs agency has warned.

Waters directly underneath the 1,500m-deep Kinsale Gas Field, in the Celtic Sea, could contain nearly 2.4 billion barrels of oil, according to latest estimates.

Dublin-based explorer Fastnet Oil & Gas has added to its portfolio of assets in the Celtic Sea through the awarding of an eight-block licensing option.

A hi-tech survey vessel has arrived in the Port of Cork as it helps hunt for new oil deposits off the south coast.

Fastnet Oil & Gas has released findings of an independent survey of the Shanagarry licence, off the Cork coast, which indicates the asset has the potential to rival Providence Resources’ nearby Barryroe field.

Fastnet Oil & Gas has initiated a farm-out process to help cover the cost of its forthcoming $18m (€14m) surveying activity in the Celtic Sea, which will be the biggest of its kind ever undertaken in the area.

The EU drugs agency has expressed concern at the massive rise in the number of domestic cannabis factories across the continent, including Ireland.

Irish explorer Fastnet Oil & Gas has substantially enhanced its presence in the Celtic Sea via the awarding of two licensing options.

EUROPE is not winning the battle against drug trafficking because each of the 27 member states is fighting the narcotics trade on its own, according to the European Commission’s top drug adviser.

IRELAND is the third largest seller of “designer drugs” over the internet in Europe, according to the EU drugs agency.

IRELAND has the fifth highest mortality rate from drugs in Europe, the EU drugs agency has said.

ISLAND Oil and Gas has said it is confident in riding out the economic downturn, despite posting a loss of £2.24 million (€2.5m) for the first half of its financial year.

ISLAND Oil and Gas has said it is confident in riding out the economic downturn, despite posting a loss of £2.24 million (€2.5m) for the first half of its financial year.

THE glut of heroin on the global market is threatening Ireland and Europe with a new heroin crisis, the European Union drugs agency has warned.

THE EU drugs agency has expressed concern at the spread of home-grown herbal cannabis across Europe.

LANSDOWNE Oil & Gas, the anglo-Irish exploration company, has partially farmed -out one of its drilling licenses in the Celtic Sea to Dublin company Island Oil & Gas.

ISLAND OIL has sold its Dutch oil assets to Delta Hydrocarbons BV for $25m (€16.1m).

ISLAND Oil & Gas currently assessing gas finds off Kinsale and Schull made an operating profit of Stg£904.000 (€1.12m) against a loss last time of £5.39m (€6.7m) for the six months to 31 January, 2008.

DUBLIN-based exploration company, Island Oil & Gas has assumed total control — via its Island International Exploration BV subsidiary — of the Durresi Block prospect located off the coast of Albania.

NATURAL resource explorer, Island Oil & Gas said its latest drilling results in its Schull gas field off west Cork were better than expected.

Island Oil and Gas have discovered another new gas field off the Cork coast.

Island will assign Valhalla Oil and Gas Limited a 20% interest in the Old Head of Kinsale gas field, reducing Island’s interest to 80%, it was announced today.

IRELAND is near the top of the European drug table for cocaine use, according to an EU report, but we are lower down the table for ecstasy use and in the bottom half of the table for cannabis use.

ISLAND Oil & Gas incurred losses before tax of £400,000 (€591,900) for the year to the end of July, up from £100,000 (€149,000) the previous year, as increased exploration costs swamped earnings from gas sales.

ISLAND Oil & Gas is to start drilling off the Donegal coast within days, it was confirmed yesterday.

EXPLORATION firm Island Oil & Gas says it has made a significant gas discovery off the Cork coast.

EXPLORATION company Island Oil and Gas announced yesterday that it has commenced its drilling programme for this year.

ISLAND Oil and Gas has raised over €12 million to fund a planned drilling programme off the Kinsale coast.