Patrick McCartan
Question:21 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for Energy if it is intended to issue licences for oil and gas exploration wells in the Rockall area; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Oil/Gas Exploration.
Oil and gas exploration licences are granted by my Department on the basis of proposals from exploration companies to undertake exploration commitments in return for allocation of acreage. Such proposals have not been received in respect of the Rockall area and, therefore, the matter of issuing licences does not arise at the present time.
Has the proposed seabed survey for which money was provided yet taken place? If so, is the result more favourable for presentation to oil exploration companies? If it has not, when is the survey to take place?
I am not sure to which seabed survey the Deputy is referring. Is he referring to a survey carried out in relation to the extension of the continental shelf or seismic surveys in relation to offshore oil or gas exploration work?
I understood it was a survey in which the Department of Energy and the Istitute for Advanced Studies were involved, with the possible involvement of a German scientist, in order to assess the viability of the area for exploration companies. I understand £150,000 was set aside for the survey.
I will be pleased to have a further look at it. We did have some slight extension of our boundaries recently following the delimitation agreement with Great Britain. There may be some prospects for exploration in that new area and I am anxious to interest some companies in having a look at it. I will look into the matter raised by the Deputy.