Faroe Islands: Trying to rekindle enthusiasm

A NEW LICENSING round is to be launched in an effort to encourage further exploration, following largely disappointing drilling results after its highly anticipated first round, in 2000. On offer are 122 blocks and part blocks, covering around 19,000 square km to the northeast and west of the seven blocks already awarded in the channel between the Faroe Islands and the Shetland Islands. The closing date for the round is 17 November 2004. The Faroese Petroleum Administration (FPA) says it has had expressions of interest both from companies that participated in the first round and from some prospective new entrants. Successful bidders in the first round—when 22 applications were received from