Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 29 Mar 1995

Vol. 451 No. 3

Written Answers. - Offshore Exploration Activity.

Máirín Quill

Question:

42 Miss Quill asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if he will give details of offshore hydrocarbon exploration activity in each of the years 1993 to 1995; the results achieved; if he will give an assessment of the future prospects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6502/95]

Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications (Mr. Lowry)

In the period 1993 to date in 1995, 26 seismic surveys took place and five exploration wells were drilled in Irish waters. In 1993 three exploration wells were drilled, two by Marathon Petroleum Ireland Limited, off the Cork and Waterford coast in blocks 48/28 and 50/2 respectively and one by Mobil North Sea off the Waterford coast in block 50/12. In 1994 two exploration wells were drilled, one by Mobil North Sea off the Waterford Coast in block 50/10 and one by BHP off the Wexford-Wick-low coast in block 42/8. All of the wells drilled in 1993 and 1994 were plugged and abandoned. No wells have been drilled so far this year but as I said in my Dáil reply of 22 March I have indications that up to four wells could be drilled in 1995.

During the period 1 January 1993 to date the following seismic surveys were carried out:

Location	No.	Total
		Km.
Celtic Sea/St. George's Channel	10	5,463
Irish Sea	6	1,863
Slyne/Erris Trough	5	3,415
Porcupine Basin	2	3,945
Erris/Donegal Basin/Malin	2	1,031
Rockall Trough	1	460

The data from the exploration wells and the seismic surveys have been lodged with my Department. As required it will be kept confidential for specific periods.

While it is impossible to say whether oil or gas will be discovered in commercial quantities in the Irish offshore, I am optimistic that there is reasonable chance that discoveries will be made within the next few years. There are known reserves of natural gas and oil in our waters, e.g. the Kinsale-Ballycotton gas fields in the Celtic Sea, the Helvic oil field in the Celtic Sea and the Connemara oil field in the Porcupine Basin. The Connemara and Helvic oil fields are currently being assessed for commercial production to establish feasibility.

There is a high level of interest in the Irish offshore with 22 exploration licences in place. This is a very good indication that the oil industry is also optimistic about the potential for discoveries in Irish waters.