Durrant Pate/ Contributor

UK-based United Oil & Gas (UOG) is confirming the formal receipt of its Environmental Permit from the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) for its planned offshore surveys at its wholly owned Walton Morant Licence, located offshore to the south of Jamaica.

This follows the company’s announcement last month that its approved permit has been listed on NEPA’s website. The permit, which is now in hand and is valid for five years, encompasses a range of non-invasive offshore surveys. These include bathymetric, geotechnical, and environmental baseline studies. 

It represents a key milestone in progressing toward the next phase of operational activities under the licence. A final outstanding permit, known as a Beach Licence, is expected shortly and will complete all approvals required before any operational activities can commence. 

The surveys will further enhance UOG’s technical dataset and are designed to further de-risk the licence by providing critical data to support prospectivity, including potential hydrocarbon presence in the seabed. 

Ongoing technical workstreams 

While not required for the farmout, they will support ongoing technical workstreams, underpinned by the recent licence extension to January 2028. CEO Brian Larkin is excited about this latest development. He says: “With the Environmental Permit now secured and the Beach Licence expected shortly, we are moving into a position to advance technical operations and rebuild momentum across one of the most exciting and underexplored basins in the region.

”The Walton Morant licence presents a compelling opportunity, with billion-barrel-scale potential, drill-ready targets, and a source rock interval of similar age to that found in the prolific basins of Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, and elsewhere in the Caribbean region. Encouraging industry interest continues, and advancing the farmout remains a core strategic priority.”

In conclusion, the UOG CEO disclosed, “The farmout process is progressing in parallel to survey preparations and is not contingent upon them. Our focus is on unlocking value through both technical de-risking and commercial engagement.” UOG has a high-impact exploration asset in Jamaica and a development asset in the UK.