asked the Minister for Energy the number of offshore exploration drills; their cost in each of the past five years; and the projected number for 1989 and 1990.
186.
Written Answers. - Offshore Exploration Drills.
183.
asked the Minister for Energy the number of applications and the number of licences issued for offshore oil and gas exploration since the introduction of revised terms in September 1987; the actual number of wells drilled in that period; the current drilling programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 183 and 186 together.
From 1984 to 1988 to date, twenty five (25) oil and gas exploration wells have been drilled offshore Ireland at a total cost of IR£159.3 million. The details of the costs, on the basis of the data supplied to my Department, are as follows:
|
Year |
Number of Wells |
Costs(IR£m) |
|
1988(to date) |
3 |
19.0* |
|
1987 |
3 |
8.7 |
|
1986 |
6 |
18.0 |
|
1985 |
6 |
58.7 |
|
1984 |
7 |
54.9 |
*Estimated, as final figures are not yet available.
It is not at this stage possible to predict with certainty the number of wells which will be drilled in the Irish offshore in 1989 and 1990. The Deputy will, however, wish to note that under the agreement with Marathon announced on 22 July 1988, up to ten exploration wells are to be drilled by the company up to and including 1991. The documentation necessary to give detailed effect to this agreement is being finalised.
Since I revised the licensing terms in September 1987 my Department received three applications for exclusive offshore exploration licences. Licences were issued in respect of these covering a total of nine blocks. Two wells have been drilled under these licences. A third well (which was a comitment well) under an earlier licence was also drilled. These wells represented the 1988 drilling programme. It has been expected that a fourth well would materialise in 1988 but this does not now appear to be likely.
Having regard to the increased competition for exploration funds in the present depressed oil price climate together with the disappointing results of drilling in our offshore, I consider that the level of drilling in 1988 was reasonably satisfactory with two deep water wells drilled in the Porcupine and one in the Irish Sea. I believe that there would have been little activity in the offshore this year had it not been for the alteration in the licensing terms.
184.
asked the Minister for Energy the information which is available to him on the results of each offshore exploration drill in 1987 and 1988.
In view of the confidentiality provisions of the licensing terms I am not at liberty to release details of the results of wells drilled in 1987 and 1988. However, I can summarise for the Deputy information on the results as announced previously by the operators. The three wells drilled in 1987 were plugged and abandoned. The Total operated well in block 57/2 had minor hydrocarbon shows as also had the BP well on block 50/6. The BP well on block 49/9 (49/9-4) flowed 1,930 barrels of oil per day. All three wells drilled in 1988 have also been plugged and abandoned.