Robert Molloy
Ceist:172 Mr. Molloy asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the estimated life-span of the Kinsale Head/Ballycotton gas fields; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12299/96]
Written Answers. - Kinsale Head/Ballycotton Gas Fields.
Based on the current knowledge of the Kinsale Head and Ballycotton gas fields it appears unlikely that their economic termination will occur before the year 2003 at the earliest. It is difficult to indicate precisely what the life span of these fields will be as it depends not only on the amount of gas remaining in the reservoirs and how much of that it is technically possible to extract but also on the economics of producing and selling gas. Estimation of gas reserves is a complex technical exercise based on interpretation of available geological and engineering data. On the basis of new data that becomes available as production continues from the fields the estimates of reserves may need to be revised.