Gov't looks for assistance in gas exploration

Department of Infrastructure seeks fiscal or technical advice

The Manx government wants to 'explore the availability' of services to assist in the exploitation of oil and gas in our territorial waters.

The Department of Infrastructure is seeking those who can give fiscal or technical advice on the extraction of hydrocarbons.

It comes amid the Manx government's declaration of a 'climate emergency', and a week after student protestors called for 'immediate action' to cut carbon omissions.

The Isle of Man's Attorney General has posted a series of tweets, seeking expressions of interest:

The Department for Enterprise @IOMDfEnterprise seeks expressions of interest to provide management services in relation to the Cruise Ship Market on the Isle of Man. Please see https://t.co/AHc3xmOrpv for further details.

— Attorney General IOM (@attgenIOM) September 18, 2019

The Department for Infrastructure @iominfra wish to explore the availability of services to advise and assist in fiscal matters relating to exploration & exploitation of hydrocarbons within the Isle of Man Territorial Waters. See https://t.co/mEiNKjRUP7 for details

— Attorney General IOM (@attgenIOM) September 5, 2019

Last October Chief Minister Howard Quayle defended the decision to award a licence for oil and gas exploration in Manx waters.

Isle of Man-based company Crogga was given permission to explore a gas deposit 8-10 miles off Maughold Head.

The company said it would conduct an initial seismic survey of the area, before seeking further approval for exploratory drilling.