asked the Minister for Energy if the gas exploration survey is still continuing in west Cavan, and when he expects to make its findings public.
Written Answers. - West Cavan Gas Exploration Survey.
23.
As I indicated in a reply to a similar question on 31 October 1985, exploration for gas in west Cavan is being carried out under exclusive onshore exploration licence No. 2/80. Aran Energy are the current operator for this licence which covers 2,785 sq. km of the North West Carboniferous Basin, including approximately 570 sq. km in County Cavan. Following the drilling of two exploratory wells in 1984, a thorough review of the hydrocarbon potential of the Basin is now being carried out by the licensees. The licensees are using all the well, seismic and other exploration data already available to them, in conjunction with the results of other work recently undertaken in the area which involved different exploration techniques, to produce a Basin report.
The results of this work should be available to my Department by early 1987, when a decision will be made as to what future exploration work is appropriate in the licensed area. In accordance with the confidentiality provisions contained in the licence, the findings will not become available to the public until four years after their completion or two years after revocation, surrender or expiry of the licence, whichever is the earlier. The licence is currently scheduled to expire on 30 April 1987 but the licensees may seek its extension for a further period.