KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – The Jamaican government, on Wednesday, said it expects to receive the results of a surface geochemical survey conducted by UK-based United Oil & Gas Plc within the next two to three months, while urging Jamaicans “to be patient and calm”.
Energy Minister Daryl Vaz, speaking at the weekly post-Cabinet news conference, told reporters that the oil and gas survey concerning Jamaica’s offshore oil and gas exploration efforts had been completed.
“The surface geochemical survey conducted by United Oil and Gas was completed on February 28th, 2026. As the research vessel returned to Kingston Harbour, the survey lasted 34 days, operating under 24-hour shifts, with no reported safety incidents, no environmental accidents, and no conflicts…”
He said during the mission, 1,189 line kilometres of multi-beam echo sounder data were collected to map the seafloor, and that heat flow probe data were gathered to analyse temperature gradients.
“Most importantly, piston cores were taken from 42 locations across the Walton and Morant Basins for direct tasting of oil and gas presence. These cores have now been offloaded and are en route to a lab in the United States for detailed analysis. ”
Vaz said the results are expected within two to three months.
“This is not simply a technical exercise; it is a meaningful step towards understanding the geological potential of offshore Jamaica. The data collected is state-of-the-art and will inform evidence-based decision-making about the country’s energy future.
“I want to commend the technical teams, marine crews, regulators, and support personnel who ensure the safe and successful completion of this mission. As we await the lab results, the government remains committed to a responsible science-led approach. ”
Vaz told reporters that exploration does not mean exploitation without safeguards, saying “it means gathering facts, analysing data, and making informed decisions in the best interests of Jamaica.
“So once again, I caution everybody to be patient and calm and to listen to the government on this very sensitive matter. Three months to two or three months before we hear anything positive or negative, and therefore we don’t expect to have anything, rumours are circulating about the discovery of oil or gas.
“When I tell you that is so, then it is so. Until such time, we hope and pray,” Vaz added.
Earlier this week, United Oil & Gas Plc said it had completed a three-stage seabed geochemical exploration programme on its Walton-Morant licence offshore Jamaica, as the AIM-listed explorer moves further to de-risk the asset and advance talks with potential partners.
United said the results will be integrated with existing seismic and other datasets to support its technical evaluation of the licence area. Positive findings could strengthen data room materials as the company continues discussions with interested parties regarding a potential offshore drilling campaign.
Chief executive officer Brian Larkin said completion of the programme marked an important operational milestone for the Walton-Morant licence and that the company looked forward to incorporating the laboratory results into its subsurface analysis.
United holds a development asset in the United Kingdom and a high-impact exploration licence in Jamaica. The company is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange.
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