Sydney-based explorer Gas2Grid said it lodged the application for St Griede, a vacant area to the northeast of the regional centre of Pau and in the prolific Aquitaine Basin of southwest France.
Gas2Grid said the application remains in process at national and regional government levels in France and is not expected to be determined until early next year.
It said the Aquitaine Basin is a proven hydrocarbon province with a long history of discovery and production.
“Over 13 trillion cubic feet of gas and 450 million barrels of liquid hydrocarbons have been discovered in the basin, but there has been a hiatus in exploration since the 1980s – particularly on the basin margins,” the company said.
“Markets and infrastructure well developed, and the commercialisation of even small discoveries is unlikely to be problematic.”
Meanwhile, Supply Oilfield Services founder and principal Louis Paul Heussaff has joined the project team to pursue exploration opportunities in France.
Gippsland Offshore holds a 50% interest in the JV.
