asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the latest position regarding the search for oil and gas in this country's territorial waters.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Oil and Gas Exploration.
31.
There are 13 companies or groups of companies engaged in exploration activities in Irish waters under exclusive licence and 21 companies or groups of companies who have non-exclusive licences permitting them to carry out general prospecting activities.
Twenty-eight wells have been completed to date. The Kinsale Head gas field discovered as a result of drilling by Marathon is at present in course of development. Drilling by ESSO on the Seven Heads structure produced significant shows of oil and gas and, although the existence of a commercial deposit of petroleum has not been confirmed by operation to date, an evaluation of the potential of the area by the company is continuing.
Two wells are at present being drilled, one in the Porcupine Trough off the west coast and the second in the Fastnet Basin to the south west. The company at present drilling in the Porcupine propose to drill a second well there later this summer. Four other companies intend to drill one well each during this year. This would bring the total to 7 wells in the current season, four of which will be off the west coast, two in the Fastnet Basin and one in the Celtic Sea. These are cases where firm plans to drill have been made. The possibility that other wells might be drilled this year cannot be completely ruled out.
Do I take it from the Parliamentary Secretary's reply that there is no indication yet as to whether the trials that have been carried out will produce anything of commercial value?
I am not in a position to make any statement to that effect.
Questions Nos. 32, 33 and 34 postponed.