Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 17 Oct 2000

Vol. 524 No. 2

Written Answers. - Natural Resources.

Ivor Callely

Question:

141 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the current level of exploration of our natural resources; the early indications from such exploration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21289/00]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Fahey):

Exploration for non-petroleum minerals is permitted under prospecting licences which are issued under the Minerals Development Acts, 1940-99. Since the six monthly report for the period to 30 June 2000 was laid before the Houses, the number of current prospecting licences has further increased to 495 at 30 September. The continuing interest shown by prospectors in investing in Ireland is a measure of how well Ireland is seen internationally as a promising area for further discoveries of mineral bodies. Having identified a mineral body it is a commercial decision for the finder whether the extraction would be economic. A positive decision would result in three applications in parallel to the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources for a State mining facility; to the relevant local authority for planning permission; and to the EPA for an integrated pollution control licence. All three must be supported by an environmental impact assessment to ensure that the proposed development would be sustainable.

Offshore petroleum exploration activity continues with 21 exploration licences in place covering 106 blocks or part blocks. In addition there are eight offshore licensing options and two leases in place. Applications for one further licensing option and two lease undertakings are at present under consideration in my Department.

Appraisal drilling took place this year on two hydrocarbon accumulations in our offshore, namely, the Corrib gas field and the Helvick oil- field. Enterprise Energy Ireland Limited, EEIL 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 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.

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. This is not expected to be completed for some time.

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.