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South Korea's Yoon approves expedition of large oil and gas prospects

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol okayed on Monday to perform exploratory drilling for possibly huge oil and gas prospects off the east coast of among the world's biggest energy importers.

There is a really high possibility the area consists of as much as 14 billion barrels of oil and gas, Yoon told a press conference, pointing out a study that he stated was reviewed by specialists and market groups.

Today, I authorized the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy to proceed with the drilling for exploration deep in the east sea, Yoon said.

The task, with an approximated expense of more than 500 billion won ($ 363 million), will start near the end of the year in the hope of discovering energy reserves by the very first half of next year, he stated.

The website was off the southeastern industrial port city of Pohang, Yoon stated, with an industry ministry authorities including that the prospects are in South Korea's Exclusive Economic Zone.

Yoon stated that South Korea's expedition efforts for oil and gas since 1996 have tapped gas reserves comparable to about 4.5 million barrels, with business development finished in 2021.

The new potential customers promise enough gas to sustain the nation for 29 years and oil equivalent to four years of usage, he included.

Energy stocks in Seoul jumped on the news.

Shares of oil refiner SK Development closed with a 6% gain, Korea Gas Corporation jumped 30% to a. 17-month high, Daesung Energy likewise struck the daily. limit of 30% and SK Gas advanced by 7%.

The possible volume is attractive, said Readul Islam of. research business Rystad Energy, emphasising that nothing is. certain.

Just spinning the drill bit will expose just how much oil and. gas is in fact present, he said.

However the project could have substantial advantages for the world's. third-largest importer of LNG.

Any substantial volumes of gas discovered in South Korea could. serve to lower the pressure on LNG producers to satisfy the. increasing need for the super-chilled fuel globally in coming. years, Islam included.

The task's approximated success rate has to do with 20% based upon. information got up until now, Yonhap news company said, pointing out a senior. South Korean federal government authorities.

South Korea is the world's fourth-largest buyer of crude and. gas, according to the Korea National Oil Corporation (KNOC), and. the ninth-largest energy consumer.

Three quarters of the potential customers are approximated to contain gas. and the rest oil, said Energy Minister Ahn Duk-geun, with. industrial production targeted for 2035.

Another industry ministry authorities said KNOC will lead the. drilling, aiming to determine the size of the potential customers. Up to. 10 wells might be required to be drilled at a cost of 100 billion. won each, said the authorities, who spoke on condition of. privacy.

With minimal resources of fossil fuels, South Korea imports. all but 1% of its coal, oil and gas materials.

(source: Reuters)