Written Answers. - Offshore Exploration.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
116
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources
the current position in regard to the commercial viability of oil and gas and other mineral finds, both inland and offshore; the current plans he has to develop these products; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[22073/00]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
155
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources
if there are any recent indications of commercial oil finds inland or offshore; the proposals for exploitation in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[22298/00]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
156
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources
if there are any recent indicators of further commercial gas finds; his plans for their development; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[22299/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 116, 155 and 156 together.
As I mentioned in my reply of 14 June last to similar questions from the Deputy, there are developments in relation to two hydrocarbon discoveries in our offshore, the Corrib gas accumulation and the Helvick oilfield.
Enterprise Energy Ireland Limited 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.
EEIL is of the view 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, it is too early at this stage to give a precise figure for the size of the gas accumulation and the licensees will not be in a position to do so until they have 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.
In relation to the Helvick oilfield, Providence Resources completed an appraisal well last September. The company is still evaluating the data results from the well. All the data and information relating to the appraisal drilling have been submitted by the company to my Department. The Deputy will appreciate that all material associated with the assessment of the field is commercially sensitive and therefore must remain confidential.
The operator is currently analysing the data acquired in the course of the appraisal drilling. The results will be integrated with existing knowledge about the field in order to establish a soundly based estimate of the hydrocarbons in place and the potential recoverable resources.
In addition to the above, next year will see a substantial increase in offshore drilling activity with the likelihood of between five to eight wells being drilled, including wells off the south west coast, in the Porcupine Basin, in the Slyne-Erris area and possibly in the Donegal and Rockall Basins.
Regarding non-petroleum minerals, as I reported in the six-monthly report laid before the Houses for the period to 30 June last, there is a continuing and lively commercial interest in Ireland as an area for minerals exploration. I will continue to service and encourage this exploration effort through licensing rounds four times per year, and through active promotion, attendance at relevant trade shows and conferences and through dissemination of information by means of publications and direct contact with companies.
The combined output from the zinc-lead mines at Tara, Galmoy and Lisheen brought Ireland to eighth largest in the world as a producer of zinc in concentrates for 1999. When Lisheen reaches full production we expect to be in sixth place. The opencast gypsum mine at Knocknacran, County Monaghan, continues to provide the raw material for plaster and board manufacture at nearby Kingscourt and to supply all cement manufacturers on the island.
In spite of a worldwide downturn in investment in minerals exploration, Ireland has not only maintained the level of expenditure by explorationists but according to provisional estimates reached over £10 million in 1999.
There has been no exploration or mining for non-petroleum minerals under the Minerals Development Acts in the Irish offshore in recent years nor has my Department any application at present for such activities.
Question No. 117 taken with Question No. 109.
Question No. 118 taken with Question No. 98 and Question No. 126.
