BP & SHELL GET THREE DEEP WATER BLOCKS

Bp and Shell were jointly awarded contacts for the exploration of oil and natural gas in this country's deep water acreage.

And in acknowledging that it is "no secret that levels of petroleum production" in this country "are not where" the Government would like them to be", the Energy Minister said continued exploration on land, in shallow water and deep water "is the key."

Political Editor Juhel Browne reports.