The single amended agreement replaces two separate original agreements and has exploration, development and feasibility requirements that were changed to be a better fit with the projected timing of the state permitting process.
The company said it believes that these changes will have a positive effect on the production permit schedule when applications are filed.
If the 2011 drilling evaluation proves successful, Liberty will immediately begin baseline environmental documentation, which will help avoid possible delays in securing production permits when they are applied for after a feasibility decision is made, Liberty said.