Empyrean Energy PLC (AIM:EME) said it made changes to its planned Jade programme due to poor weather.
The company said meetings with contractor China Oilfield Services over the past week resulted in a revised scope of work - which will see a shorter survey undertaken and greater sea swell tolerance for the pre-drill programme.
The programme will have now an operable weather window with peak wave heights of up to 1.7 metres.
"The Empyrean, COSL and CNOOC EnerTech teams are all working hard to tick all of the boxes required to get out there and drill the high impact and exciting Jade prospect as soon as practicable,” said Empyrean chief executive Tom Kelly.
“The Jade prospect looks to be one of the highest impact exploration wells scheduled for 2022, globally.
“We need a little bit of luck from the weather, but we are finding ways to progress despite the unseasonal late poor weather conditions.”
Kelly noted that steady progress has been made in securing necessary pre-drill permits.
Empyrean has a 100% interest in the Jade prospect, offshore China, with state-backed China National Offshore Oil Company (CNOOC) retaining a right to take up a 51% participating interest in the project’s development and production phase.