The Dominican Republic is offering 10 onshore and four offshore blocks in the Caribbean nation's first licensing round.

This licensing exercise is being co-ordinated by the Ministry of Energy & Mines in Santo Domingo in partnership with Edinburgh-based consultancy Wood Mackenzie.

In terms of schedule, the details are scarce, although the official launch will take place in Houston, Texas on 10 July.

The specific closing date for bids has yet to be decided, although it will be some time in December this year.

The acreage to be made available lies in four distinct geological plays: the onshore Cibao, Enriquillo and Azua basins and the offshore San Pedro basin.

Six blocks are on offer in Cibao, three in Enriquillo, one in Azua and four in San Pedro.

The Dominican Republic — the eastern part of Hispaniola island — has a long history of small-scale hydrocarbon production, with oil flowing from the onshore Maleno and Higuerito fields in World War 2.

Seismic data covering the Enriquillo, San Juan and Cibao basins is available from the Ministry of Energy, while recent surface and seismic stratigraphic mapping has clarified the geological story of the area, according to a press statement.

A WoodMac spokesperson confirmed that the consultancy is “assisting” the government.

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Dominican Republic bid round