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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 8 Dec 1998

Vol. 498 No. 1

Written Answers. - Offshore Exploration.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

91 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the licences and results of exploration for natural resources in offshore activities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25745/98]

There are 43 petroleum authorisations currently in place which relate to petroleum exploration or production activities in our offshore. They are as follows: 25 petroleum exploration licences, one licensing option and 13 petroleum prospecting licences.

One well was drilled this year — an appraisal well about 70 kilometres west of Achill. The well was successfully tested and a flow of gas was measured at a stabilised rate of 63 million standard cublic feet per day. The test indicated that favourable production rates can be achieved from the discovery. It is not known with any precision how much gas is in place or how it is situated physically or how it would be assessed. It is likely that two or three more years' assessment will be required for a full appraisal. Only at that stage can it be determined whether the field is commercial. If so, it is then likely to take two further years to carry out development and bring the field into production.

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