Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 Nov 1999

Vol. 510 No. 6

Written Answers. - Offshore Exploration.

Enda Kenny

Question:

116 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he will publish the findings given to his Department arising from the well drilled by a company (details supplied) on the Shannon prospect, south of the Corrib field, off Achill Head; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23681/99]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources

(Dr. Woods): Under the terms of any authorisation the operator is obliged to furnish me with copies of all data obtained. However, in accordance with section 46 of the Licensing Terms for Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration and Development, 1992, I am obliged to keep such information confidential until five years after the well has been completed or earlier if the licence expires, is relinquished or revoked. I have received a full set of data from the well drilled this summer on the Shannon prospect, but I am obliged to keep the specific information confidential.

The general information which I am at liberty to provide is that the well (18/25-2) was drilled between 18 August and 13 October last. It was located some eight kilometres south of the Corrib gasfield, in 336 metres of water, and was drilled to a total depth of 2,965 metres. No hydrocarbons were encountered and the well was plugged and abandoned as a dry hole. The operator and its partners and my Department are now evaluating the results of the well to help in reaching a better understanding of the geology and the prospectivity of the area.

Enda Kenny

Question:

117 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the full conditions of a licence issued to a company (details supplied) in respect of 34 offshore blocks covering 7,400 gross square kilometres; the appraisal wells drilled to date; if he intends changing the conditions attached to this exploration licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23682/99]

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

The company to which the Deputy refers has an interest in five petroleum explor ation licences in the Irish offshore. It is the operator in four of these, covering 20 blocks, and has a 15 % interest in a licence covering 11 blocks. In addition it has been granted one licensing option covering three blocks.

The Corrib gas field, which was discovered in 1996, extends across two of the licences in relation to which the company is the operator. Two appraisal wells have been drilled in the Corrib, one in 1998 and the second in 1999.

All of the authorisations referred to above were issued in accordance with the licensing terms for Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration and Development, 1992, a copy of which can be made available to the Deputy on request. Each authorisation has its own specific work programme which has been agreed under the terms of the licence. Each work programme is regarded as being commercially sensitive and, accordingly, I am not free to make its contents available. The Deputy will appreciate that, as all authorisations are agreements with the companies, they are not subject to change. In any event, I am satisfied that the company is complying with the terms and conditions of the licence and with the work programmes undertaken by the licensees.