Exploration Licences Applications

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 January 2018

Tuesday, 16 January 2018

Questions (1315, 1324)

Eamon Ryan

Question:

1315. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the outcome for the majority of licensing options which will be concluding between the end of February and the end of June 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1812/18]

Eamon Ryan

Question:

1324. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of the 28 granted licensing options that are progressing to frontier exploration licences, in tabular form. [1821/18]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment (Deputy Seán Kyne)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1315 and 1324 together.

A total of 28 Licensing Options were awarded following on the outcome of the 2015 Atlantic Margin Licensing Round. The term of these Licensing Options ends between 28 February 2018 and 30 June 2019. In addition the period of Licensing Option 16/15 in the North Celtic Basin ends on 30 April 2018.

The position in respect of these Licensing Options is as follows:

Licensing Option (LO)	End Date(s)	Current Status
LOs 16/1-14	28 February 2018	LO 16/2 has converted to Frontier Exploration Licence 1/17. Applications to convert to Frontier Exploration Licences have been received in respect of 11 Licensing Options. An indication that the Operator intends to submit an application to convert the Licensing Option to a Frontier Exploration Licence has been received in respect of 1 Licensing Option. An indication that the Operator intends to surrender the Licensing Option has been received in respect of 1 Licensing Option.
LOs 16/15-29	30 April 2018 to 30 June 2019	An indication that the Operator intends to surrender the Licensing Option has been received in respect of 1 Licensing Option. No applications for follow-on Frontier or Standard Exploration Licences have been received in respect of 14 Licensing Options. However the Operators are not required to submit a proposal for a follow-on Frontier or Standard Exploration Licences until 3 months prior to end of the Option Period (2 months in respect of a Standard Exploration Licence).