asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if any oil probes have been made in the east coast seas; and the prospects of obtaining oil or gas as a result.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Oil and Gas Exploration.
16.
As I informed the Deputy in reply to a similar question by him in October last, seismic surveys have been carried out off the east coast both by holders of non-exclusive petroleum prospecting licences and by the only company holding an exclusive exploration licence. No drilling in the area has yet taken place however. While the surveys have identified some geological structures of possible prospective interest, it will not be possible to assess fully the prospects of the area until exploratory drilling is carried out. It is open to offshore operators to apply for licences in respect of a number of blocks in this area in accordance with the terms and conditions for the grant of exclusive exploration licences which were announced recently.
Can the Minister say when a definite sounding will be made and how far north the sounding will be made? Will it be past Dundalk?
Definite soundings of both airborne and shipborne kinds, seismic and magnetic surveys, have been carried out. In fact we have 30,000 line miles of seismic traverses and 15,000 line miles of aeromagnetic data on it. We do not have drilling data but we have a great deal of information about it.
When will drilling start?
I do not know about the area to which reference was made. There is drilling off the south coast at present and there will be drilling in other areas next year.
The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.