Providence Resources may start drilling the Spanish Point gas field off the west coast in 2012, chief executive officer Tony O’Reilly has said.

Providence will finish studies of the field, which is about 200km offshore, and determine whether to bring in a partner before deciding when to drill, Mr O’Reilly said in an interview at the company’s Dublin offices.

“Our view is that it will probably be in 2012,” Mr O’Reilly said yesterday of the Spanish Point plans.

Mr O’Reilly said the firm is focusing on fields such as Spanish Point. – (Bloomberg)