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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 21 Nov 2001

Vol. 544 No. 4

Written Answers. - Offshore Exploration.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

81 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the information available to his Department on the results of the drilling programme undertaken in the Celtic Sea by a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28924/01]

In April of this year Ramco Oil and Gas Limited, with its partners, was granted the Seven Heads Gas lease undertaking over the shallower, gas-bearing interval of the Seven Heads structure.

As with all lease undertakings, Ramco had carried out a detailed assessment of the Seven Heads structure and had concluded that, based on subsea development technology and the presence nearby of infrastructure and a market, there was the potential for a commercial gas accumulation, but further appraisal work was needed before commerciality could be ascertained. The appraisal well drilled this year – 48/24-5A – was an obligation under the broad work programme agreed with my Department which is designed to acquire the data necessary to establish commerciality.

Drilling of the well commenced on 2 August last and reached its planned total depth on 11 September. Having encountered gas bearing intervals broadly as expected, a multi-phased test programme was undertaken between 21 September and 15 October. The drilling rig left the location on 28 October. My Department receives full information and data on all exploration and appraisal wells drilled offshore and the Ramco well is no exception. For well 48/24-5A, daily reports, a full set of basic log, sample and test data and nearly all processed data have already been received, and outstanding processed data will be lodged as soon as processing is complete. My officials have already completed initial technical evaluations of the well data, but more specialised technical evaluation is being undertaken. The Deputy will appreciate that any such data and conclusions drawn from them are commercially sensitive and subject to the confidentiality clause of the licensing terms. The next step for my Department is to reach agreement with the Ramco group on how the necessary appraisal programme will be continued next year to complete these evaluations and establish whether Seven Heads can be developed commercially.

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