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DOI extends licence to search for gas and oil in Manx waters

Crogga have been awarded additional time

The Department of Infrastructure has issued a four month extension to search for gas and oil in Manx waters.

The original licence granted to Crogga Ltd was due to expire at the end of this month but the company has been given additional time to survey.

The department says it will give them time to take into consideration the government’s wider policy on offshore energy production.

Crogga had initially requested an 18 month extension.

Infrastructure Minister Tim Crookall said: "The department has agreed to extend the licence for four months to enable work to take place by both ourselves and Crogga."

The DoI says it will work with Crogga to determine how the company intends to mitigate emissions to ensure that the Island is able to meet its commitment to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.

January's Tynwald will debate a motion by Robert Mercer MLC that the Council of Ministers should review its Strategy for Offshore Energy Production and should publish a report by June 2022.

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