(Business in Cameroon) - The natural gas and oil group, Bowleven plc, currently the holder of the Etinde permit, has just received the go-ahead to drill on the MLHP-7 block, with its partners which include SNH, la société nationale des hydrocarbures du Cameroun.

On August 4, 2014, the British group announced that it had received this approval, for which the decree was signed by the Cameroonian Head of State, Paul Biya, marking the completion of the authorisation process. “Receiving this authorisation is a major step and allows us to move forward with our exciting plans for Etinde,” stated Kevin Hart (photo), the Managing Director of Bowleven.

The approval to Bowleven and its partners grants them the right to drill on the MLHP-7 block for an initial period of 20 years which can be renewed for an additional ten years.

According to the British company, development plans will focus on the MLHP-7’s IM field and the initial sale of dry gas to a proposed fertiliser factory, to facilitate the production of liquid gas. This will be done while additional off-take solutions are explored on the CLNG.

Bowleven has 75% OF THE Etinde permit, which covers a grouping of three off-shore blocks covering 2,316 km². In late June of this year, the company announced its agreement to share sales agreement with the Russian company Lukoil and New-Age, to sell them 50% of its operating interests.