Vol. 524 No. 2
111 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the latest information available to his Department with regard to the extent of the Corrib gas field; the independent information available to his Department as to the extent of the find; if his attention has been drawn to the serious criticism expressed by SIPTU with regard to the proposed deal for the use of the gas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22024/00]
Enterprise Energy Ireland completed a fourth appraisal well in the Corrib gas field in September. The company and its partners are currently assessing the results from this well in conjunction with data from previous appraisal wells with a view to determining the extent and characteristics of the reservoir.
All data and information relating to the field are submitted on an ongoing basis by the company to my Department. This data is analysed by my Department using in-house expertise in conjunction with consultants. The Deputy will appreciate that all material associated with this assessment is commercially sensitive and therefore must remain confidential. However, I should point out that Enterprise Energy Ireland is reported as saying that the Corrib field might have in place recoverable reserves of more than one trillion cubic feet of gas. This compares to over 1.5 trillion cubic feet of gas produced to date from the Kinsale and Ballycotton gas fields. However, as I have already stated, it is too early at this stage to give a precise figure for the size of the gas accumulation and the licensee will not be in a position to do so until it has fully evaluated the discovery. I expect Enterprise Energy Ireland and its partners to be in a position to decide on the commerciality of the Corrib field in the very near future.
I am aware that BGE has reached an outline agreement with the Corrib partners on the financial terms for the spur pipeline to bring Corrib gas from Mayo to Galway. I am not aware of SIPTU's concerns, if any, in relation to this agreement.
