Drilling for oil on the Ħagar Qim well to the south of Malta will start in the coming weeks, according to the Infrastructure Ministry.

The well will be drilled to a minimum depth of 2,500 metres according to a contract between the Maltese government and Phoenicia Energy Company and Melita Exploration Company.

The rig used to drill the well is currently undergoing the final inspection and certification tests.

The ministry said the inspection and maintenance work would be completed before the rig moves to its location. More details would be issued closer to the date, it added.

Last week, a British commercial court threw out a case filed by oil firm Leni Gas & Oil against a former partner, Mediterranean Oil & Gas, over an exploration licence in Maltese waters.

Leni claimed it was misled into selling its interest in Malta’s Area 4 to Mediterranean Oil & Gas for $1.

Soon after, Mediterranean Oil & Gas reached a $10 million farm-out agreement with Genel Energy.

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