Providence Resources and Europa Oil and Gas – two of the most active exploration companies in Irish waters – are confident of further deal activity after both landing development partners for assets they hold off the west coast of the country.

Irish explorer Providence Resources looks to be close to a deal with a rig contractor as it continues to ready itself for a return to drilling in Irish waters next year.

A number of so-called ‘super-majors’ — a term typically used to describe the biggest eight, or so, oil companies in the world — have shown interest in offshore assets held by freshly financed Irish explorer Providence Resources, its chief executive said yesterday.

Providence Resources — the Tony O’Reilly Jr-led exploration firm — has announced plans to raise nearly $74m (€66m) in fresh funds via what is, essentially, a company saving share sale.