Melrose, Noble See France Offshore Extension Blocked
The publication by France of a map indicating permits for oil and gas exploration either granted or under consideration indicates that an application by Melrose Resources Plc. for the extension of an offshore exploration permit, is stalled.
Melrose holds the Rhône Maritime Exploration Concession in the deep water area of the Rhône Delta, offshore France in the Mediterranean Sea. Noble Energy Inc. acquired a 72.5% working interest and operatorship in return for funding the cost of a block wide 2D seismic acquisition programme.
Melrose and Noble made application to extend the license until 2015. Bloomberg reported a spokeswoman for the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy confirming that Melrose's application had been “blocked.”
Nicole Bricq, the newly appointed Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy, decided to make the information on oil and gas permitting publicly available in order to provide for greater transparency.
The news from France comes at a time where Italy is reportedly considering the re-opening of offshore exploration.
Link: Map of French Oil and Gas Permits Granted or Under Consideration