Melrose Resources has signed concession agreements for two offshore exploration blocks with the Romanian National Agency of Mineral Resources.
The Edinburgh company said it had successfully concluded agreements for the Muridava block, formerly block XXVII.
It has also secured the Est Cobalcescu block, formerly block XXVIII.
Both blocks are located in the Romanian sector of the Black Sea.
The concessions were awarded in the 10th Romanian Licensing Round in June 2010 to Melrose and its partner, Petromar Resources.
Melrose will receive operatorship and 80% interest, and Petromar the remaining non-operating 20%.
The new licences are located in shallow water in the Western Black Sea.
They have a combined area of 2,000sq km.
They contain multiple exploration plays.
Both are on trend with existing Pliocene and Miocene gas discoveries elsewhere in Romanian waters.
They are covered by old regional 2D seismic data, and Muridava also contains an existing gas & oil discovery, Olimpiskiyi, which was drilled in 2001.
However, there is currently limited available data on the 10-year-old .
This will be appraised as part of the planned work programme.
The concession agreement package contains a three year initial term.
An option for a three-year extension is also available if desired.