Europa Oil & Gas announced this morning it has been granted an extension to the first phase of its exploration licence covering controversial plans for gas drilling and lower volume fracking in North Yorkshire.

The first phase of the licence, PEDL343, which includes the proposed Burniston site near Scarborough, had been due to expire in March 2026.

But in an announcement to investors, Europa said the first phase, usually used for exploration, would now run for a further two years until 21 March 2028.

The licence’s second phase, usually used for appraisal, will expire on 21 July 2030.

The decision to extend the PEDL licence was made by the industry regulator, the North Sea Transition Authority.

The extension gives Europa a further two years to meet its work commitments for the first phase of the licence. These comprise drilling a well to 6,500ft and acquire 17km2 of 3D seismic surveys.

The PEDL licence extension is separate from Europa’s applications for planning permission and environmental permits, which have not yet been decided.

Europa has submitted plans to drill for gas at Burniston, in what the company calls the Cloughton gasfield, and to carry out proppant squeeze, a form of lower-volume fracking.

The planning application is expected to be decided by North Yorkshire Council’s strategic planning committee on 30 January 2026, meeting in Scarborough town hall. The council has not yet confirmed the date or venue.

About 1,600 formal objections have been made to the Burniston planning application. They include opposition from the MP and all local councils.

The Burniston environmental permit application is being considered by the Environment Agency.

William Holland, Europa’s chief executive, said in today’s statement:

“I am very pleased that we have secured this extension which has provided us with the time needed to drill the appraisal well on the 137bcf Cloughton gas field.

“This onshore field is close to the NTS2 [transmission pipeline] and as such a successful appraisal well will allow the field to be brought online quickly.”

He said gas produced at Burniston would displace imported liquified natural gas, “generate well paid local jobs provide gas to heat almost half of the homes in North Yorkshire and generate over £50m in taxes”. He added it would “largely be unnoticed by the local community yet provide a material positive impact to local community groups, as demonstrated at our other onshore UK production sites.”

• Coming soon on DrillOrDrop: company profile of Europa Oil & Gas Limited