Robert Molloy
Question:225 Mr. Molloy asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if he will give details of offshore exploration wells to be drilled in 1995. [6165/95]
Written Answers. - Offshore Exploration.
I have indications that up to four petroleumn exploration wells could be drilled in the Irish offshore during 1995. One licensee, with a 1995 obligatory well, is making firm plans to drill this summer and has stated that it may also drill one or two further wells this year. In addition, another licensee has stated that it is proposing to drill a well during 1995 even though, under the terms of its licence, it has until the end of 1997 to do so.
The proposed drilling location for the four wells referred to is in the North Celtic Sea Basin.
Robert Molloy
Question:226 Mr. Molloy asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the Irish offshore exploration fees currently payable. [6166/95]
Irish offshore exploration fees are currently payable on authorisations as follows:
(1) Authorisations issued under the 1992 Licensing Terms
|
Application Fees |
|
|
Petroleum Prospecting Licence |
£1,000 |
|
Licensing Option |
£1,000 |
|
Exploration Licence |
£6,000 |
|
Reserved Area Licence |
£6,000 |
|
Lease Undertaking |
£2,000 |
|
Petroleum Lease |
£6,000 |
|
Annual Fees |
|
|
Petroleum Prospecting Licence |
£5,000 |
|
Licensing Option |
|
|
£15,000 p.a. per block |
|
|
£25,000 p.a. per block extension |
|
|
Standard Exploration Licence |
|
|
(a) £120 per sq. km. |
|
|
(b) £240 per sq. km. following surrender of 50% of licensed area at the end of the fourth year. |
|
|
Deepwater Exploration Licence |
|
|
(a) £60 per sq. km. |
|
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(b) £120 per sq. km. after surrender of 50% of licensed area at the end of the fourth year of the licence. |
|
|
(c) £240 per sq. km. following surrender of 50% of acreage held at the end of the seventh year of the licence. |
|
|
Frontier Exploration Licence |
|
|
£20 per sq. km. for the first phase. |
|
|
£40 per sq. km. for subsequent phase. |
|
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£80 per sq. km. after surrender of 50% of licensed area. |
|
|
Reserved Area Licence |
|
|
Identical to appropriate Exploration Licence Fee. |
|
|
Lease Undertaking |
|
|
£800 per sq. km. for the first year with an increase of £100 per sq. km. in each subsequent year. |
|
|
Petroleum Lease |
|
|
£1,600 per sq. km. until date of first production. |
|
|
£2,500 per sq. km. from date of first production. (with revisions in line with the WPI). |
|
|
Assignments or Transfers of Interest |
|
|
Application Fee |
£1,000 |
|
Administrative Fee |
£2,000 |
|
(2) Fees currently payable for Authorisations issued under the 1975 Terms |
|
|
Prospecting Licences (Non-Exclusive) |
|
|
Annual Rental |
£4,000 |
|
Exclusive Licence |
|
|
Annual Rental Fees: |
|
|
Year 1 |
£400 per sq. km. |
|
Year 2 |
£40 per sq. km. |
|
Year 3 |
£40 per sq. km. |
|
Year 4 |
£40 per sq. km. |
|
Year 5 |
£40 per sq. km. |
|
Year 6 |
£80 per sq. km. |
|
Subsequent Years |
£400 per sq. km. |
|
Licence Option |
|
|
Annual Rental |
£15,000 per block |
|
(3) 1959 Agreement (amended in 1969) |
|
|
Rental |
£50 per sq. km. per annum |
|
Dead Rent |
£50 per sq. km. per annum |