Europa Oil & Gas Holdings Plc (LON:EOG) has told investors that the partners in the Wressle project, in Lincolnshire, will launch an appeal to the decision that blocked the oil field development.
The North Lincolnshire Council last month refused to grant planning consent for Wressle.
Now, the Wressle partners intend to file a new application including more detailed information to address the specific concerns outlined in the negative planning decision.
The appeal and new application will be lodged at the earliest opportunity, Europa said.
“Wressle is located in the heart of the East Midlands petroleum province and at an anticipated gross rate of 500 bopd would almost double our existing production based on a 20% interest,” said Hugh Mackay, Europa chief executive.
“We are keen to see this conventional oil field brought into production as soon as possible.”
Europa currently has a 30% stake in Wressle, though an agreement is in place for Upland Resources to acquire a 10% interest from the company. The other partners in the project are Egdon Resources Plc (LON:EDR), the operator with 25%, Celtique Energie with 33.3%, and Union Jack Oil PLC (LON:UJO).
Union Jack’s David Bramhill added: “The joint venture is supportive of the dual approach taken by Egdon to resolve this situation with the minimum of delay.
“For Union Jack, it is very much business as usual and plans for the preparation of drilling of Biscathorpe-2 and Holmwood-1 conventional wells continue in respect of what the company considers to be two excellent prospects, both with significant volumetric potential if successful and moderate geological risk.”
In a separate statement, Egdon Resources has downgraded its production guidance – to 100 to 110 barrels oil equivalent per day, from 165 boepd – as a result of Wressle not coming online within the expected timeframe.