Oil explorer Baron Oil has reported positive results from drilling operations in Northern Ireland.
An appraisal carried out by the firm found that the Islandmagee-1 well, which was drilled to a total depth of 1,753 metres, yielded 185.8 metres of Permian salt, with core samples sent to Germany for analysis.
Bill Colvin, chief executive of Baron Oil, said the board was delighted with the outcome.
He added: “We now look forward to further significant progress later this year towards a development decision for this large and important energy infrastructure project for Ireland and the UK.
“The costs of this 2015 work programme are being funded 50% by the European Commission under their Connecting Europe Facility.”