Vol. 504 No. 6
35 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the position in relation to the supply of gas from the Kinsale Field; the estimated supply now available; and the future arrangements for extraction in this regard. [9066/99]
Since gas production commenced from the Kinsale Head Gasfield in 1978 and from the Ballycotton Gasfield in 1991, about one and a half trillion cubic feet of gas has been produced to date. However, gas production from the fields has gone into decline and will continue to fall during the remaining life of the fields until they reach their expected economic termination by about the year 2005.
Future gas supplies from Kinsale and Ballycotton depend, not only on the amount of gas remaining in the reservoir and how much it is possible to extract from a technical point of view, but also on the economics of producing and selling the gas. The latest projected figure of recoverable reserves from the field, as estimated by my Department, is close to 250 billion cubic feet (bcf). This estimate takes account of Marathon's recently announced intention of bringing into production the untapped reserves in the southwest lobe of the Kinsale Head Gasfield, which they estimate to contain approximately 30 bcf of recoverable gas. A detailed plan of development for these reserves has been submitted for my approval by Marathon and they propose to bring the gas into production by the end of this year.
With regard to future arrangements for the extraction of gas, I understand from Marathon that they are preparing for a multi-million dollar investment programme to up-grade gas compression facilities in the fields. These compressors are intended to boost natural well pressures which decline as the fields are depleted. Along with this upgrade, Marathon will evaluate all means of ensuring maximum productivity from the Kinsale Head and Ballycotton Gasfields and of course my Department will continue to monitor the fields' progress.
