Austin Currie
Question:34 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Energy the number of oil exploration wells drilled annually in the years 1982 to 1992.
Written Answers. - Exploration Wells.
Tom Enright
Question:62 Mr. Enright asked the Minister for Energy the way in which he proposes to achieve additional seismic surveying of our offshore waters with a view to providing data essential for the further development of our oil and gas reserves.
Joe Sherlock
Question:64 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Energy the estimated number of test wells likely to be drilled in Irish water during the summer months; if he will give his assessment of the prospect of a commercial find; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 34, 62 and 64 together. Oil and gas wells drilled offshore Ireland have been as follows: 1982, 4; 1983, 6; 1984, 7; 1985, 5; 1986, 7; 1987, 3; 1988, 3; 1989, 5; 1990, 4; 1991, 1.
Two exploration wells are due to be drilled in 1982. The first well will be drilled on block 48/30 by Marathon Petroleum and will be commenced early in July. A second well will be drilled on block 48/19 by Bula Oil Limited and is due to be commenced during August. As with all exploration drilling, these wells are being undertaken in the belief that commercial finds of oil or gas could result. In the case of any discoveries of oil or gas, the question of assessing commerciality is in the first instance a matter for the company in question. While I remain optimistic about the prospects for further commercial discoveries of gas and oil in the Irish offshore I think it would serve no purpose if I were to attempt to assess the chances of commercial discoveries resulting from specific wells which have not yet been drilled.
My Department does not engage in the direct activity of acquiring seismic data. Data is acquired by exploration companies licensed by my Department. At present there are fourteen such licences in force. A total of 224,213 km of seismic has been acquired over the offshore area to date. This total includes a quantity gathered by companies this year. Further acquisitions by companies are planned. My Department receives copies of all data and causes such data to be made available to exploration companies after a period of confidentiality which is generally five years. The acquisition and interpretation of seismic data is a vital component of efforts to encourage drilling activity offshore Ireland. My Department has always afforded interested companies the opportunity of undertaking worthwhile programmes of seismic acquisition and is happy to provide any necessary advice in ensuring that seismic programmes are located and executed to best effect.