Ireland’s Circle Oil is to drill an exploration well at its Block 49 concession in Oman in the second half of 2014.

Block 49 is an onshore concession located in the Rub al-Khali Basin and covers an area of 15,439 square kilometres. Initial studies have shown that three main plays could be viable prospects. They are Sahmah in Saudi Arabia, Natih and Shuaiba in northern Oman, and Lower Haima in southern Oman.

Circle Oil is among 17 other companies – both local and international – that are currently engaged in exploration and production activities for both oil and gas in the sultanate.