More time to assess gas extraction variation bid

The project is focused on possible gas under the seabed off Maughold Head

A further three-month licence extension has been granted to a firm looking for gas off the east coast of the Isle of Man while a request to bring forward the drilling of an appraisal well is considered.

Crogga Limited was granted a Seaward Production Innovate License in October 2018, which was extended for four months in December 2021, followed by a further 27 months.

Under the current terms, the firm has to complete certain seismic surveys before moving on to that stage.

A spokesman for the Department of Infrastructure said the latest extension was "aimed at allowing time for a variation of the licence to be fully considered".

'Short period'

The department "continues to assess" the application and Crogga has been granted "a short period of additional time to provide information relating to the variation request", he said.

The firm has requested a change to the licence issued in 2018 to bring forward the drilling of an appraisal well to understand how much gas is under the seabed 17km (10.5miles) off Maughold Head.

Under the current terms, before drilling can begin the firm has to undertake a 3D seismic survey.

The variation requested would allow the firm to drill on the basis of existing 2D seismic survey data.

The extension by the department follows an additional 27-month period granted at the end of April 2022, after which the variation was requested.

Critics of the project have previously said that gas extraction contradicted with the government's goal of reaching net zero climate emissions by 2050.