asked the Minister for Industry and Energy in view of the increased demand for Kinsale gas, the steps he is taking to expedite the exploration for gas in Glangevlin, County Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Kinsale Gas.
7.
An exclusive exploration licence, which covers a large area of the north west carboniferous basin, and includes the Glangevlin area, is in force; and under the terms of that licence the licensees are obliged to drill two exploration wells in addition to the significant amount of exploration work which they have already carried out. That work included re-entry of a well at Dowra using new fracturing techniques which increased the gas flow from that well considerably. As a follow-up they carried out two major seismic surveys over the area in order to delineate the best structures with a view to establishing optimum locations for the wells which are now due to be drilled.
Discussions between my Department and the licensees, who are in the process of selecting the drilling locations for those wells, are now taking place. Once the chosen locations have been approved and other negotiations in regard to the licence have been concluded, the licensees may be expected to proceed with their drilling programme without delay.