asked the Minister for Energy if he or the Government are considering plans for an early production system on the Gulf Chevron discovery block 49/9 in the Celtic Sea; and, if so, if he will give details of any special terms on offer or being sought for such a plan.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Celtic Sea Discovery.
26.
Because the necessary full delineation of the hydrocarbon discovery made by Gulf has not yet been carried out, no proposal for development of the find, whether by way of an early production system or otherwise, has been made by the operator of the consortium concerned. Further steps towards that delineation will be undertaken this year by way of an agreed 3. D seismic survey over the area and when the data arising from that survey becomes available, my Department and the group involved will be in a better position to evaluate what further appraisal drilling will be necessary in order to establish if the deposit can be commercially developed. At that stage, consideration will be given to the conditions which will apply to the particular development system being contemplated.
Will the Minister confirm that another well will be drilled on this block this year?
I am not aware that another well will be drilled on this block in the current year. I believe that the commitments are such that there is a possibility of another well being drilled. I have no firm commitment.
Will the Minister give the House his, or the official, reaction to early production systems for the development of such wells off our shores?
It would be rather premature to give an assessment at present. We have been looking at the possibilities. In the normal course of the Department's ordinary business we examine any of the possibilities that would be of interest to the oil industry. At present, I can truthfully say that there has not been a definite taking of a position in favour or against early production systems. Many people speak of the dangers of early production in relation to the possible damage to the oil fields and all those things are taken into account by us in any consideration in due course.
The Minister has not formed any official view yet.
No.