Bernard J. Durkan
Question:364 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the latest available results of oil, gas and other mineral exploration tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22404/03]
Written Answers. - Offshore Exploration.
The Dooish exploration well, which was drilled last year by Enterprise Energy Ireland off the Donegal coast and which discovered a hydrocarbon accumulation, was re-entered and deepened this summer. Drilling commenced on 11 May 2003 and the well was plugged and abandoned having confirmed the existence of a substantial gas condensate column and the rig moved off-site on 30 July 2003. Both my Department and Shell-EEI are continuing to analyse the well results and integrate them with other data from the area. Further technical work on the prospect will be required before the size of the gas condensate accumulation and the possibility for any commercial development can be accurately assessed. However, it is extremely encouraging that this well, only the second to be drilled in the Rockall Basin, proved to be such a significant discovery, and my Department has emphasised the positive implications of this discovery for the prospectivity of the basin as a whole.
The Cong exploration well is currently being drilled in the Erris basin, approximately 60 km off the Mayo coast and some 20 km northeast of the Corrib gas field. Drilling began on this exploration well by Statoil in the Erris basin on 5 August 2003. There have been a total of three seismic surveys carried out offshore Ireland this year, all off the west coast. However, one of these surveys was abandoned following damage to equipment. The results of the surveys are not yet available due to the highly technical processing required for this type of data.
With regard to non-petroleum minerals I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 175 on 11 June 2003. I have nothing further to add.
Questions Nos. 365 and 366 answered with Question No. 351.