The three-year deal is expected to be worth 8m to the Shell and Statoil licence holder which lost the supply contract to Texaco Chevron in 2004. Texaco Chevron also bid for the current contract.

Around 12m litres of marine gas oil will be bunkered at the naval base in Haulbowline, Cork over the life of the contract. "We're thrilled to get this back again, " said John Downing of Topaz Energy. "We're a new company now and aggressive to get our name out there."

Topaz also has the fuel contract for the Government Supply Agency which provides vehicle fuel and heating oil to public bodies including the army. This three-year contract is worth an estimated 6m and includes kerosene, road diesel and gas oil.

The Irish Naval Service is expected to tender for three new vessels in coming weeks at a cost of between 150m and 190m. These extended offshore patrol vessels are also expected to run on marine gas oil.

Meanwhile, Topaz said it plans to partially open Ireland's first motorway-style service station at the Dublin Port Tunnel in October. In a 7m deal with the Dublin Port Company, Topaz will run the 4.5 acre site including lorry and car refueling facilities, forecourt shop, a full restaurant, parking for 43 trucks, and a truckers' lounge including shower block.