Vol. 511 No. 5
28 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the latest information available to his Department regarding the extent of the gas discovery made by a company (details supplied); if it is regarded as commercial; the outcome of these meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24737/99]
Enterprise Oil and their partners Saga Petroleum, Statoil Exploration (Ireland) Limited and Marathon International Petroleum Hibernia Limited have drilled three wells in the Corrib gas accumulation located in the Slyne Trough, an exploration well in 1996 and two appraisal wells, one in 1998 and the second this year.
The exploration well was a gas discovery well but the operator was unable to test it at the time. The first appraisal well produced gas on test which flowed at a stabilised rate of 63 million cubic feet of gas per day. The second appraisal well flowed gas at a rate of 64 million cubic feet per day and was successfully completed in August 1999. The data acquired by the operator, which has been made available to my Department, is being evaluated by the licensees. However, I understand that additional appraisal work is required and that a further appraisal well may be necessary before it can be determined whether the field is commercial.
The final decision as to whether the field is commercial will depend on factors such as the size of the field, the quality of the reservoir, the quality of the gas, flow rate of the well, the market price and the cost of development of the field. It is not possible to give precise figures for the size of the gas accumulation at the stage and this will not be possible until the accumulation has been fully appraised. The Deputy will appreciate that all data from the well must remain confidential.
