asked the Minister for Energy the number of oil and gas exploration wells drilled and their total cost in each year since 1979; the number that will be drilled on the basis of existing commitments in each of the next five years.
Written Answers. - Oil and Gas Exploration.
118.
From 1979 to 1986, 48 oil and gas exploration wells have been drilled offshore Ireland two have been drilled onshore at a total cost of £339.5 million. While the exploration companies do not have a uniform method of costing wells, the details of the costs, on the basis of the data supplied to my Department are contained in the following table:
|
Year |
No. of Wells |
Costs (£m.) |
|
1979 |
7 |
23.2 |
|
1980 |
3 |
16.5 |
|
1981 |
8 |
82.5 |
|
1982 |
3 |
27.5 |
|
1983 |
6 |
56.1 |
|
1984 |
9 |
57.0 |
|
(incl. 2 onshore) |
||
|
1985 |
6 |
58.7 |
|
1986 |
6 |
18.0 |
For 1987 two wells have been completed and one is being drilled. The costs of these are not yet available. There are commitments to drill two further wells in 1987 but requests for deferment of these wells are under consideration.
Over the next five years, firm drilling commitments entered into by oil exploration companies are for one well in 1988 and one in 1991.