Vol. 462 No. 5
242 Mr. Molloy asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the agreements, if any, entered into with specific companies for offshore drilling programmes in 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4986/96]
There are two agreements in operation between my Department and petroleum exploration companies which have well commitments in 1996.
A deepwater exploration licence over six blocks in the Slyne Trough issued in 1993 requires the licencees to drill an exploration well during the first phase of the licence i.e. by 31 December, 1996. The licensees have made firm preparations to drill the well and expect to commence operations by early May. In addition they plan to drill a further non-obligation well this year under a frontier exploration licence issued in 1994.
Under a lease undertaking over the Connemara field in the Porcupine Basin the licensees have a commitment to drill an appraisal well in 1996. However, the licensees have decided to carry out a 3D seismic survey over the area this year with the objective of identifying the optimum location for the well. The time involved in acquiring, processing and interpreting the data from this survey may not allow sufficient time to drill the well in 1996. Any postponement would, of course, have to be with the agreement of my Department.
