Michael Creed
Ceist:53 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the detail of all new finds of oil, gas or coal off the Irish coast or offshore. [16587/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 27 April 2010
Ceisteanna (18)
Freagraí scríofa
There were three new discoveries of oil and gas in the Irish Offshore in recent years; however none of these have been declared commercial to date. During 2007 two finds were made in the North Celtic Sea Basin off the South Coast. Providence Resources Limited identified an oil accumulation at the Hook Head prospect while Island Oil and Gas Limited encountered gas at the Scull prospect. During 2009 Serica Energy PLC identified oil at the Bandon Prospect in the Slyne Basin, off the west coast. In all three cases further work is required in order to determine whether these accumulations can be progressed to commercial developments.
No additional finds of oil and gas have been made so far in 2010. However Shell E & P Ireland Ltd is expected to commence drilling in the Slyne Basin shortly. There are twenty six active Petroleum Exploration Licences relating to areas of the Irish offshore. Exploration activities are continuing under all of these authorisations. The last discovery to be declared commercial was the Seven Heads discovery in July 2002.
In respect of minerals, there is only one offshore prospecting licence. That licence covers an area of some 1,000 square kilometres roughly centred on the Kish Bank, is held by VP Power, and is restricted to exploration for coal. VP Power has carried out a preliminary exploration programme over the area. There has been no discovery of any mineral deposit.