Vol. 491 No. 4
47 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the position in relation to offshore oil exploration; whether new licences are being issued; if exploration has been carried out on foot of existing licences to the point where commercial decisions can be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12487/98]
At present 28 offshore petroleum exploration licences are held and these have been issued over the period 1992 to date. Each licence carries a specific work programme involving a high level of exploration activity.
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.
As the Deputy may be aware 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 marginal field, a potential for commercial development has been established and it merits the granting of a petroleum lease.
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 propose to commence their drilling operations next month. Even if the results of this programme are favourable it is expected that additional work will be required to fully appraise the discovery.
