i3 Energy PLC (LON:i3E) edged higher on Friday on news that it is cracking on with the Liberator project with the signing of contracts for a site survey.
The North Sea field developer has hired Gardline Limited for the work, which will be a precursor to the planned 2019 and 2020 drill programmes and also the construction of pipeline infrastructure.
Operations have already begun and the company told investors that it expects the work will complete before the end of March.
READ: i3 Energy raises £16mln via share placing
The survey’s findings will enable the completion of an Environmental Statement, and, provide inputs for engineering planning for the anticipated three well drill programme this year. The reports will also be included as part of Liberator’s field development plan.
"With our recent fundraise, we are delighted to now be driving operational progress for i3's operated three-well drilling campaign in the Greater Liberator area in Summer 2019,” said chief executive Majid Shafiq.
“The directors and management team see massive opportunity in the Company and look forward to unlocking Liberator's potential through the drill bit."
Earlier this month, i3 raised £16mln through an oversubscribed share placing. The equity raise comes alongside a £24mln loan note funding, announced in February.
The funds enable planned drill plans and pave the way for i3 to take the Liberator field towards the first production.
With raise and drill programmes in place, the company intends to continue partnering efforts - with ‘a number of high calibre potential partners’ - from a position of financial strength. In parallel, it also intends to advance arrangements so that it has the option to finance the Liberator start-up via senior debt.
In afternoon trading, i3 Energy shares were 0.6% higher at 39.75p.
-- Adds share price --