DUBLIN-based junior Providence Resources is in the market for a drilling rig to appraise its Barryroe oil discovery in the Celtic Sea off Ireland, writes Iain Esau.

“Last month,” said chief executive Tony O’Reilly, “we issued a request for expressions of interest for the supply of a mobile offshore drilling unit and have started the consent process for drilling.”

The EoI closing date was 30 August with Providence now evaluating the initial responses.