Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 17 Feb 1998

Vol. 487 No. 3

Written Answers. - Offshore Resources.

Ivor Callely

Question:

61 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the progress, if any, in relation to the development of our offshore natural resources; the likely potential of this development; the concerns, if any, there are regarding this development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3896/98]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Dr. Woods)

I understand that the Deputy is referring to oil and gas exploration and development in our continental shelf. There is now a substantial interest in our offshore with a near all time high number of authorisations on issue to petroleum exploration and seismic acquisition and other data companies. At present there are in place 28 petroleum exploration licences; 17 petroleum prospecting licences; petroleum licensing options and one petroleum lease and an application for another petroleum lease is under consideration by my Department.

In 1997 three exploration wells were drilled, two in the Porcupine Basin and one in the Kish Bank Basin, and hydrocarbon shows were encountered in one of the Porcupine wells. In addition two appraisal wells were drilled in the Connemara Oilfield, but the field was not declared commercial. Also, last year 25,000 line kilometres of seismic was acquired and that was a record for seismic acquisition in Ireland. Plans for seismic companies for 1998 indicate that it also will be a good year for seismic acquisition. I expect that two wells will be drilled this year — one exploration and one appraisal well.

It is impossible to be precise in regard to the potential for a new commercial development in our offshore as it would depend on specific aspects of the field such as, the amount of oil or gas recoverable, the duration of production, the distance to land, water depth at the location, costs and market price of the product. My concerns in relation to any future oil or gas development in our offshore would be to ensure that there is optimum recovery of the oil or gas, that it is done in a safe and environmentally acceptable manner and that the development should make the maximum possible contribution to the economy.