Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 12 Oct 1995

Vol. 456 No. 8

Written Answers. - Offshore Drilling Programme.

Desmond J. O'Malley

Question:

35 Mr. O'Malley asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if he will make a statement on the results of the 1995 offshore drilling programme; and if he will give details of agreements for future offshore drilling. [14710/95]

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

Since the beginning of June to date in 1995 three exploration wells and one appraisal well have been drilled in the Irish offshore. In addition, a further well is planned to commence in early November.

The three exploration wells were drilled in the Celtic Sea in Blocks 41/30, 49/11 and 50/6. All the wells were plugged and abandoned as dry holes but oil was encountered in non-commercial quantities in the well drilled in Block 50/6.

An appraisal well in Block 48/25, located 150 metres from the Kinsale discovery well and lying within the existing boundary of the Kinsale Head Gas Field, produced gas flows at 23.3 million cubic feet per day. The objective of that well was to establish if gas was present which could not be recovered using the existing production facilities. The well test results are currently being assessed by the company to establish the feasibility of extracting the gas.

It is too early at this stage to be precise about the levels of drilling activity which will take place next year and in the period beyond that. However one company has a drilling commitment next year under their licence and they have indicated that they are planning to drill a second exploration well in 1996. In addition two companies have undertaken to drill wells under their frontier licences in the Porcupine Basin. I am confident that drilling will continue at a satisfactory level over the coming years.