Norway's PGS has been confirmed for a contract to carry out a seismic survey across the Irish Atlantic Margin region with the MV Ramform Vanguard.

Site survey work has commenced in advanced of drilling on the potentially huge Dunquin gas prospect out in the Irish Atlantic Margin.

San Leon Energy which has now completed the acquisition of Island Oil and Gas says it is looking at five Atlantic margin exploration licences which it has described as equal to the North Sea back in the 1980s when major discoveries were made.

Irish and London-listed Lansdowne Oil and Gas has pledged to continue its efforts to sell off interests in its Celtic Sea assets in a bid to realise the value of its assets there.

Ireland's government has unveiled the details of a new Irish Offshore open licensing round covering opportunities in the Atlantic Margin in 2011 which the government says has the aim if increasing exploration there where reserves are estimated at up to 10 Billion gallons of oil and gas.

Irish Energy Minister Conor Lenihan is due to unveil tomorrow the details of a new offshore licensing round in the Atlantic Margin.

Bristol-based Marine Current Turbines has received a royal seal of approval after Prince Charles took time to visit the company's SeaGen installation near Belfast.

A heavy oil deposit discovered offshore Ireland could contain up to 230 million barrels of oil according to the results of an expert technical report.

Ireland's Helvick oil field in the Celtic Sea is to receive new attention through a study for possible development using new technology in the form of an unmanned production buoy.

Irish-based explorer Lansdowne Oil and Gas has secured additional funding through an extended loan and has held discussions with one of its principal shareholders to ensure it can stay in business for the next three months as a going concern.

Heavy oil specialist Nautical Petroleum has signed a farm-in agreement to pursue a 1992 discovery off the southern coast of Ireland.

Providence Resources has signalled that it is now using First Point Assessment Limited as its primary qualification system for selection of supply chain contractors for its oil and gas exploration and production activities.

One of the firms behind the development of Ireland's first offshore wind farm at Arklow Bank has linked up with a Scottish partner to target new opportunities in the renewable energy sector.

Providence Resources says it is ready to go ahead with an offshore gas storage project in the Kish Bank Basin 20 kilometres (12.5 miles) offshore from Dublin in the Irish Sea after completing a study on its Ulysses project.

San Leon Energy has formally posted an agreed  takeover off for Irish-based Island Oil and Gas which is to be effected by a scheme of arrangement.

Irish-based Providcence Resources has launched a new work programme on a known heavy oil prospect offshore Ireland after obtaining an exploration licence for the area.

Island Oil and Gas has been given a further lifeline by potential take over partner San Leon Energy which has agreed to extend its line of credit to the Irish-based exploration and production company.

A loan provided to struggling Island Oil and Gas by potential takeover partner San Leon Energy has been extended.

Struggling Island Oil and Gas which nearing a deal to merge with San Leon Energy reported a loss of £723,000 for the year to July 2009.

London-listed San Leon Energy is continuing its efforts to buy out Irish explorer Island Oil and Gas  and now has an extension to irrevocable undertakings from 29.62% of the company to accept the offer.

ExxonMobil is seeking another farm-in partner to de-risk its participation in the planned drilling of the Dunquin gas and condensate prospect off the west coast of Ireland which is due to see an exploration well later this year.

Irish-based Providence Resources has signalled that it is moving closer to the start of drilling on the potentially huge Dunquin gas prospect off the west coast of Ireland next year after the completion of a site survey.

Irish Energy Minister Eamon Ryan has declared that the proportion of renewable energy use in the country is on the increase based on a government report.

Middle East-based Emirates National Oil company has said it will not sell off Irish-listed Dragon Oil to pay down debts if and when it succeeds in its current takeover bid.

Island Oil and Gas has announced plans for a widespread cut in its staff base because of ongoing difficulties with its future funding.

Shell and its partners in the Corrib gas development offshore Ireland have been given a guarded green light to re-routing the onshore pipeline which will carry production from the field to a new gas terminal on the Irish north west coast.

Swedish electricity utility Vattenfall has linked up with a commercial partner and the Irish government to further develop a wave energy device for use offshore Ireland.

Fast track survey data from a seismic survey over the Spanish Point licence area off the west coast of Ireland has indicated “good structural continuity” which will simplify any future field development.