asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy if there are plans to develop the oil field off Kinsale.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Kinsale Oil Field.
18.
Exploration operations have not to date established the existence of a commercial oil field in the area in question. The Deputy is probably referring to the Seven Heads structure, which lies to the south-west of the Kinsale Head gas field, where two wells drilled in 1973 and 1974 yielded sub-commercial oil flows. After detailed seismic investigations and appraisal, two more wells were drilled in the structure, one in 1976 and the other this year. Neither of these wells revealed the presence of petroleum in commercial quantities and, accordingly, plans for development would not be justified.
The total output from the two wells to which I refer—Nos. 48 and 28 and Nos. 48 and 24, those developed by Esso—was 1,500 barrels from one and 700 barrels from the other. It is agreed that in the context of the Esso undertakings this is possibly commercially unsatisfactory. What will Government policy be in relation to small oil fields of this kind, which would be of great value to the country but need not be of value to the great oil companies? Will the Government consider the possibility of developing this type of small oil field in the national interests?
The indications that were recorded, and referred to by the Deputy, of the flow in 1973 and 1974 unfortunately have not been carried on in the recent exploration programme. It has not been as promising as it looked originally.
When the Minister of State talks about it being a commercially viable proposition does he exclude the possibility of it being an enterprise? Leaving that aside, if this develops are we likely to develop such small oil fields, independently of the oil companies? What is Government policy on that kind of situation?
Any oil field will be examined on the basis of its potential and the prospect of bringing oil ashore.
I wish to give notice of my intention to raise on the Adjournment the matter of the conditions in St. Brendan's Hospital, Dublin.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
In view of the fact that my Special Notice Question on St. Brendan's Hospital was refused I wish to give notice of my intention to raise the matter on the Adjournment.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
In view of the fact that my Special Notice Question on St. Brendan's Hospital was refused I wish too give notice of my intention to raise the matter on the Adjournment.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
I wish to give notice of my intention to raise on the Adjournment the subject matter of Question No. 54 on today's Order Paper.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.