Vol. 469 No. 7
165 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications whether the technical evaluation of Rockall Trough has been completed by the Petroleum Affairs Division of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the outcome of such an evaluation. [18199/96]
A technical evaluation of the Rockall Trough has been completed and the results are contained in a report entitled A Regional Evaluation and Geophysical Data Package for the Rockall Trough, Offshore Ireland. A copy was presented to me on 4 July 1996.
The objective of the evaluation was to provide interested petroleum exploration companies with an up-to-date technical assessment of the hydrocarbon potential of the Rockall Trough. The report identifies several exploration concepts and indicates a considerable potential for the discovery of both oil and gas. A high level of interest is being shown in the report and, to date it has been purchased by 14 petroleum exploration companies.
The report was jointly produced by the Petroleum Affairs Division of my Department and the international geological consultancy firm Robertson Research International Limited.
