Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 179: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of exploration wells which have been drilled in the period 1999 to 2004; and if he will provide details on the results. [12558/04]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Six exploration wells were drilled between 1999 and 2004, all of them off the north-west, west and south-west coasts. All six wells have been plugged and abandoned. Shell E&P Ireland's Dooish well penetrated a substantial column of gas condensate, however, the results of which are being analysed. A second well, Statoil's Cong well, had both oil and gas shows. There are no remaining commitments to drill any exploration wells this year although I understand that a company has applied to drill later in the year.