Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 March 2015
286. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when gas supplies from the Corrib gas field will become available on the national grid; the extent to which various towns and villages throughout the country are likely to benefit from this source in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11046/15]
View answerCompletion of the Corrib gas field development works, by the developer, is the principal factor that will determine the date for first gas. Construction and testing of the infrastructure will be completed shortly, with first gas anticipated in mid 2015. It is estimated that the project will have an operating life span of between 15 to 20 years and gas production will on average meet 42% of all island gas demand over the first 2 years of operation declining thereafter. I understand that the bulk of the gas produced from the Corrib field will be supplied to the national grid via the 149km pipeline constructed by Bord Gáis Networks (now Gas Networks Ireland) and which runs from the Gas terminal in Bellanaboy, Co. Mayo, to Ballymoneen outside of Galway.
