I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 14 together.
As I mentioned in my reply of 17 October to similar questions raised in the House, there are developments in relation to two hydrocarbon discoveries in our offshore, the Corrib gas field and the Helvick oilfield. Enterprise Energy Ireland Limited, EEIL, completed a fourth appraisal well in the Corrib gas field in September. The company and its partners are assessing the results from this well in conjunction with the 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 1 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. It is too early at this stage, however, 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 EEIL and its partners to be in a position to decide on the commerciality of the Corrib field in the very near future.
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 two further licensing options and two lease undertakings are under consideration in my Department.
As regards the likely extent of test drilling in 2001, I expect to see a substantial increase in offshore drilling activity. While no firm proposals have as yet been received in my Department, it is anticipated that up to five exploration wells, one appraisal well and two development wells will be drilled next year. Well commitments beyond 2001, however, only amount to between three and six for the entire Irish offshore and it is probable that many of the frontier exploration licences issued in the last two to three rounds will be relinquished next year.
With this in mind I have commenced an initiative aimed at conserving areas of the Irish offshore, that is, closing them off from development, and gauging interest on the part of the industry in making well commitments in certain other limited areas. To that end, I am commencing a consultation process involving companies active here in order to gauge their views on whether well commitments might be forthcoming in the event that a limited number of new licences might be offered. In the light of this process and having regard to other issues, I will early next year consider asking the Government to decide on a limited number of possible further licences.