A Toronto-based company looking to drill an oil and gas test well near Cape Breton’s largest freshwater lake says it remains committed to the project.

Petroworth Resources says that’s despite the loss of a potential partner because of ongoing protests over the controversial development.

Petroworth president Neal Mednick says the unidentified company stepped away from negotiations about three weeks ago.

He says the company was in talks to be a farm-in partner, meaning it would pay for the cost of drilling the well near Lake Ainslie in exchange for a percentage interest in the property.

Petroworth’s permit to drill the well expires next July.

Opponents to the project say they’re concerned about possible groundwater contamination.

Protesters have staged demonstrations, and a citizens group launched a judicial appeal this year in an effort to overturn the drilling permit.

That bid, by the Margaree Environmental Association, was dismissed in Nova Scotia Supreme Court in August.

Association spokesman Neal Livingston says news of a potential partner backing away from the project is a victory for his group.