He added that the company who own the exploratory licences, Tamboran has made public plans for 200 "nine acre concrete drill pads" should fracking go ahead, and local people were concerned about the impact on Fermangh's core economic drivers of tourism, fishing and agriculture.

BBC: Hydraulic fracturing

The companies are in the process of preparing to drill again in the Gulf in the days ahead.

FORBES: Connect

PDVSA's oil-production technology is now at least five years ahead of Pemex's, particularly in its ability to drill in deep waters and in its use of seismic surveys.

ECONOMIST: The oil industry