Vol. 500 No. 3
44 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he will make a statement on whether the extent of the gas discovery made by a company (details supplied) in the Corrib Field is deemed as commercial; if he has met with SIPTU or the Irish Offshore Operators Association regarding the use of Irish workers and goods and services in offshore exploration activities; the outcome of any of these meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3803/99]
The position in relation to the Corrib Field is that Enterprise Oil and their partners Saga Petroleum and Statoil Exploration (Ireland) Limited drilled an appraisal well last year and produced gas on test which flowed at a stabilised rate of 63 million cubic feet of gas per day. The licensees are not able to give precise figures for the size of the gas accumulation at this stage and they will not be able to do so until they have fully evaluated the accumulation. The evaluation process will involve further appraisal work being carried out over the next two to three years and is expected to include the drilling of additional appraisal wells and Enterprise Oil have indicated that they are planning to drill a further appraisal well in Comb this year.
As regards the use of Irish workers and goods and services in offshore exploration activities, it is Government policy to ensure that the Irish economy benefits to the maximum extent possible from such activities within the constraints of EU legislation. I have continually impressed on the Irish Offshore Operators Association and the individual operators that Irish workers and suppliers of goods and services must be given opportunities to participate in such activities and I will continue to do so.
Arising from discussions which I had with the Irish Offshore Operators Association and SIPTU, I arranged that my Department set up and facilitate discussions between representatives of the Irish Offshore Operators Association, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, Enterprise Ireland and the Irish Offshore Suppliers Association on the utilisation of Irish resources and services in the offshore petroleum industry. These discussions are ongoing. I am anxious that Irish involvement be increased and sustained over the longer term.
Enterprise Ireland, under the aegis of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, has responsibility for ensuring maximum input of Irish industry in offshore exploration activities. It has been very active in this area for some time and has assisted the operators in identifying Irish companies who can tender for work and has assisted companies by identifying Irish companies who can tender for work and has assisted companies by identifying opportunities arising in both petroleum exploration and production.
