Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 May 2004
130 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position in regard to recent discoveries or developments arising from oil, gas or other mineral explorations on or offshore; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13878/04]
View answerThe Dooish exploration well, which was drilled in 2002 by Enterprise Energy Ireland, now Shell E&P Ireland, off the Donegal coast and which discovered a hydrocarbon accumulation, was re-entered and deepened in 2003. Drilling commenced on 11 May 2003 and the well was plugged 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 E&P 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. Drilling began on Statoil's Cong exploration well in the Erris basin on 5 August 2003 and the well was plugged and abandoned as a dry hole on 16 December 2003. The Seven Heads gas field, off the coast of Cork, was developed in 2003 and production began in December 2003.
Up until Friday 30 April 2004, the developers of the Corrib gas field, off the coast of Mayo, were awaiting planning permission for a gas terminal before commencing the development of the field. This has now been received but the developers must wait for a further four weeks in case the planning decision is appealed to An Bord Pleanála.
With regard to non-petroleum minerals, the position has not changed since my reply to a similar question, No. 175, on 11 June 2003.
