asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will outline the offshore exploration activities that are in progress in relation to gas, oil and mineral exploration in Irish-controlled waters.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Offshore Exploration.
60.
Exploration for gas and oil is being carried out by Marathon Petroleum Ireland Limited in certain areas off the south and west coasts in respect of which the company holds exclusive facilities. Eight petroleum leases have been granted to Marathon within the part of their exploration area which is off the south coast and to date 13 test wells have been drilled in the leasehold areas.
In another part of our designated Continental Shelf area, 62 holders of non-exclusive petroleum prospecting licences are engaged in general exploration operations. The grant of exploration facilities in respect of a further section of our shelf area which was designated by the Government in February last is under consideration.
There is no offshore exploration for minerals other than gas and oil in Ireland's designated area of the Continental Shelf.
Will the Minister confirm or deny reports that there are several people anxious to start exploration but are being held up by indecision in the Department of Industry and Commerce?
There is nobody being held up to my knowledge. Negotiations are still going on with a number of people. The 62 nonexclusive exploration licensees have been going ahead all the time and that is a considerable number of licences.
So the newspaper reports are false?
I have not seen the newspaper reports to which the Deputy is referring.
61.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the distance from the Irish coastline to which exploration of the ocean floor is at present being undertaken or is planned by Government or other Irish agencies.
By orders made in 1968, 1970 and 1974, pursuant to section 2 (3) of the Continental Shelf Act, 1968, the Government has designated areas of Continental Shelf in which the rights of the State outside the territorial seas for the purpose of exploring the sea bed and subsoil and exploiting their natural resources may be exercised. The distance from the coast of the outer limit of the total designated area varies from 195 nautical miles in the south west to 20 nautical miles in the east. Parts of this area are being explored under licence by a number of companies, some of which are incorporated in Ireland.