Why does information on Malta’s oil exploration efforts always have to come in a dribble? It is unquestionably a sensitive subject but every now and then the public deserves a review of what is happening in an area that up to now has only thrown up disappointment.

Following the plugging and abandonment last year of the Ħaġar Qim well, perhaps Parliament could now find time to discuss the oil exploration programme so that the country would be better informed of the situation as it stands today.

Replying to a speech when Parliament was discussing the Petroleum Production (Amendment) Bill, meant to transpose an EU directive into Maltese law, Infrastructure Minister Joe Mizzi once again declared that, as he had already said before the general election, oil and gas were present in Malta’s territorial waters.

Considering how successful other countries are at striking oil or finding gas in their areas, it would be strange, though, of course, not impossible if absolutely no part of the island’s waters bears any oil or gas. However, the big question is not if there is or isn’t oil or gas but if there are fossil fuels in commercial quantities.

Is Mr Mizzi in a position to say if the documents he has in hand show that there are deposits of fossil fuels in commercial quantities in Maltese waters?

With the fall in the price of crude, this is certainly not the ideal time for exploration, with Moody’s Investors Services describing this year as a challenging one for the global oil and gas industry – their toughest year sine 2009. “Slumping oil prices amid a surplus of new rig deliveries spell difficult times ahead for offshore contract drillers,” the agency said.

Even so, Mr Mizzi said the government was still working hard to attract new oil and gas exploration companies, and talks with neighbouring states were underway to enter into joint ventures.

Now this is perhaps the most painful aspect of the oil exploration programme for, despite all the talks held so far and promises of cooperation from other countries over the years, there has not been any significant progress so far.

With Libya in a state of turmoil, it is hard to expect any positive developments any time soon in efforts with that country to move on in joint oil or gas exploration efforts. This is a significant setback for Malta, although, even if the country had taken a steady course following the overthrow of the Gaddafi regime, it would still have taken time for the two parties to make tangible progress.

What is particularly disappointing, though, is the situation with Italy. The minister should inform the country of the stage reached in negotiations on possible joint ventures in offshore areas contested by both countries.

Joseph Muscat has already raised the issue with two successive Italian prime ministers, the last time being during the visit of Matteo Renzi for the inauguration of the interconnector linking Malta to the Italian electricity grid.

When Malta opened up offshore areas for exploration to the north, Italy created a maritime zone, called Settore Sud, as it contested Malta’s claims in the same areas. Earlier still, Malta had formally protested to Italy when licences were awarded for exploration in other areas contested by Malta.

Some years ago, Greece had expressed interest in cooperating with both Malta and Cyprus in an attempt to maximise the potential for offshore hydrocarbon discoveries. Has there been any progress in talks with Greece, and, for that matter, with Tunisia?