Chinese companies keen to explore gas off Isle of Man

Chinese companies have expressed an interest in securing exploration acreage to find gas in waters off the Isle of Man, the self-governing British Crown Dependency located between the United Kingdom and Ireland, said a senior government official.

Earlier this year the government of the island, located off the northwest coast of England, announced that it was planning to award a new round of petroleum exploration licences.

Steven Beevers, head of special projects in the department of economic development of the Isle of Man, said his administration was open to having partners in energy and other sectors from China.