Irish mining explorer Circle Oil is to undertake a seismic survey in Oman in an effort to gain resources in the Middle East.

The company - which is based at O'Connell Avenue in Limerick - has hired a unit of China Petroleum & Chemical Corp to conduct a 3D study of Block 49 in western Oman, said Chief Executive Officer David Hough. The four-month job will start in the next few weeks.

Oman is the largest Arab oil producer that is not a member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries.

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Petroleum Development Oman, the largest producer in the Persian Gulf country, is developing the Harweel cluster to boost production. BP and BG Group are exploring Oman for oil and gas.

Circle currently produces oil and gas in Morocco and Egypt and holds the exploration rights to Blocks 49 and 52 in the South of Oman.

Commenting, David Hough, Chief Executive Officer Circle, said: "I am pleased with our progress in Oman and in particular that the 3D seismic programme in Block 49 is now effectively underway.

"Success in Oman could provide Circle with some real 'company making' opportunities. While we planned for some flooding delay to drilling in Morocco, the weather conditions have been much more severe than anticipated.

"Nonetheless production has been all but maintained and I look forward to getting the drilling programme underway once the flood waters have receded."

(BMcC/GK)