The government has extended an oil exploration licence to enable further evaluation of a seismic study of the seabed, Transport and Infrastructure Minister Joe Mizzi said today.

Replying to a question in Parliament by Marthese Portelli (PN) on oil exploration since the general election, the minister said the government had issued a licence to Ratio Malta Ltd in Area 5 south-west of Malta.

Last year, a seismic survey was made in the North of Malta by CairnEnergy plc and the results are being evaluated. The contract has been extended to the end of next year for the evaluation to be completed.

Genel Energy plc drilled an exploratory oil well south of Malta last year - a well which should originally have been drilled in 2011. Although there was no positive outcome, the project had still yielded important information for oil drilling purposes.

Mr Mizzi said that although the oil price is down, the government was still promoting oil exploration activities. 

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