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Focus energy has requested the petroleum ministry for extension in exploration period for NELP Block GK-ON/4 on account of delay in grant of Petroleum Exploration License (PEL) from Gujarat state government. In a letter to the ministry, the company informed that PEL extension has not been granted for the block so far by the Gujarat government and is further likely to be delayed. In view of this, the company requested for extension till October 22, 2013.
Beyond initial period of seven years, the total exploration period of the block was extended by 493 days by the petroleum ministry. In line with this, Phase-III exploration period expired on August 25, 2011. Focus Energy requested the ministry for further extension of 392 days for exploration phase from 26th August 2011 to September 20, 2012 due to delays in grant of PEL extension and assuming that the PEL extension will be granted by 15th May 2011.
Since the PEL extension has not been granted by State government till now, the company has requested for grant extension in exploration phase by 788 days from August 26, 2011 to October 22, 2013. The company has indicated that it will request for a further extension if the PEL is not granted by the State government soon.
Focus energy had requested the Gujarat government for extension in PEL from April 2010 to April 2013. The company, petroleum ministry and Directorate General of Hydrocarbons have taken up the matter of PEL extension with the state government at several occasions. However, the extension still remains pending for the block. The company has urged the ministry to write to Government of Gujarat again for restoring the PEL as well as grant the PEL extension up to October 22, 2013 so that it can re-start the field work in the block area after receipt of PEL extension.
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