Vol. 491 No. 4
17 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the latest information available to his Department on the prospects for the development of further commercial oil or gas finds in Irish waters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12228/98]
22 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the steps, if any, he is taking to develop hydrocarbon production in Ireland; and the timetable and process he intends to put in place for issuing of new licences to offshore oil and gas industries. [12300/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 22 together.
We now have a high number of exploration licences in place. At present, 28 licences are held and each carries a specific work programme involving a high level of exploration activity. This is the result of the revised licensing terms introduced in 1992, the consequent licensing rounds in 1994 and 1995 and, most successful of all, the Rockall Trough licensing round last year which gave rise to 11 new licences.
In addition, an area covering 156 blocks in the South Porcupine Basin is now the subject of a licensing round, the closing date for which is 15 December this year. I expect to be in a position to announce the results and award the licences early in the second quarter next year. This will give successful applicants the opportunity to acquire seismic data during the suitable weather window period of 1999.
Apart from the licensing rounds held from time to time over specified areas, an open-door system is also in operation whereby applications may be made at any time to my Department for offshore acreage which is not closed or already held under any authorisation.
The Deputies may be aware that I recently approved the issue of a petroleum lease to Providence Resources over the Helvick Oilfield in block 49/9 in the North Celtic Sea. While this is a small field, a potential for commercial development has been established.
In 1997, three exploration wells were drilled, two in the Porcupine Basin and one in the Kish Bank Basin, and hydrocarbon shows were encountered in one of the Porcupine wells. In addition, two appraisal wells were drilled in the Connemara Oilfield, but the field was not declared commercial.
In 1996, Enterprise Oil discovered gas in a well drilled in the Slyne Trough but despite their best efforts they were unable to test this discovery because of mechanical problems. They have now made final plans to return to the location to appraise the discovery. Their appraisal programme will consist of a further well and they are expected to commence their drilling operations next month.
Other work aimed at identifying prospects for hydrocarbon discoveries is ongoing. Last year 25,000 line kilometres of seismic was acquired and that was a record for seismic acquisition in Ireland. Plans from seismic companies for 1998 indicate that it also will be a good year for seismic acquisition.
