John Gormley
Question:88 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the companies granted licences to explore for oil close to Dublin Bay; and when drilling is set to commence. [9954/98]
Written Answers - Oil Exploration Licences.
Enterprise Oil plc and its partners Powergen (North Sea) Ltd. hold a petroleum exploration licence in the Kish Bank Basin off Dublin Bay. This is a six year standard petroleum exploration licence coverning blocks 33/16, 33/17, 33/18, 33/21 and 33/22 and was granted in July 1996.
The licencees drilled an exploration well in block 33/17 commencing on 19 December 1997 and it was plugged and abandoned on 31 December 1997. They are continuing to assess the area but have no plans at this stage to drill any further wells under the licence.