BOWLEVEN, the Africa-focused oil and gas firm, has been given another year to meet its commitment to drill two exploration wells on the Bomono permit onshore Cameroon, writes Mark Williamson.

BOWLEVEN, the Africa-focused oil and gas firm, has been given another year to meet its commitment to drill two exploration wells on the Bomono permit onshore Cameroon, writes Mark Williamson.

The Edinburgh-based company said the authorities in the West African country have granted a one year extension to the Bomono exploration licence, to 12 December 2015, to allow for the completion of operations.

Bowleven added that preparations for a two well drilling programme on Bomono are underway. The company said a rig has been mobilized to Cameroon and drilling operations are expected to commence around the end of the year. Before the permit was extended the company had a commitment to drill two wells on Bomono by December 2014. Bowleven is awaiting approval from Cameroon's President Biya for a deal to sell stakes in the Etinde permit off the country for a total $250m, which it agreed in June.