JUDGE IN FRANCE RULED TO SUSPEND MINISTERS’ DECISION NOT TO...

JUDGE IN FRANCE RULED TO SUSPEND MINISTERS’ DECISION NOT TO RENEW THE ST GRIEDE PERMIT
Gas2Grid Limited is very pleased to announce that the judge at the tribunal in France has ruled on 29 December 2015 to suspend the decision made by the French Government not to renew the St Griede permit in France.
The judge concluded that the St Griede permit in itself cannot cause risks to public order and that there has been an error at law in the decision of the Ministers. The relevant Ministers are given 2 months to reconsider the St Griede permit renewal. However, the Ministers are allowed 2 weeks to lodge an appeal against the judge’s ruling.
Background
In October 2015 Gas2Grid Limited received written notification of the Ministers’ decision made on 21 September not to grant the renewal of the St Griede permit. In November 2015 Gas2Grid Limited lodged requests at the tribunal in France for the suspension and annulment of that decision.
The St Griede permit (100% working interest) located within the Aquitaine Basin, France was due for its first renewal in May, 2013 after an initial 5 year term. With the terms and conditions of the work and expenditure commitments having been met for the first 5 year term, a renewal application for a second 5 year term was submitted in January 2013 in order to continue the work program towards the drilling of a well. Normally, a first renewal is expected as a matter of course if the initial commitments have been met. That application was processed by French Government officials who recommended renewal and submitted it to the Minister of Energy for signature and issue in 2014.