OIL and gas explorer Providence Resources has said it is due to start drilling offshore the coast of Ireland in the next two weeks.
The AIM-listed firm said yesterday the appraisal drilling on its Barryroe licence would be carried out by the Arctic III semi-submersible drill rig, which was now being mobilised to Irish waters from the North Sea.
Providence holds a 50% interest in the Barryroe licence, on which it is operator, along with partners San Leon Energy (30%) and Lansdowne Oil & Gas (20%).
Last month, Providence trebled its estimate of potential resources at its Dragon prospect south-east of Ireland.
The potential resource was estimated at up to about 300bscf, with 75% of it in Irish waters.
Providence said further work was being carried out on its 3D seismic data as part of the planning of an appraisal well to be drilled in 2012.