Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 322: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will outline details, conditions and terms of a licence granted by him (details supplied) to explore for oil and gas deposits off the eastern coast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12296/12]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 323: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will outline the difference between the licence (details supplied) granted by him in respect of exploring oil and gas deposits off the eastern coast and the licence that would be required from him to extract any deposits found; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12297/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 322 and 323 together.

Standard Exploration Licence 2/11 was granted last year to a consortium comprising Providence Resources Plc and Star Energy Oil and Gas Ltd over an area of approximately 380 square kilometres in the Kish Bank Basin. The exploration licence confers on the holder the exclusive right to search for petroleum in the licensed area, but does not confer a right to produce/extract petroleum. The licence is subject to the provisions of the Licensing Terms for Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration, Development & Production 2007 which can be viewed on my Department's web site at the following link: http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Natural/Petroleum+Affairs+Division/Licensing+Applications/.

The licence is for a term of six years from 18 August 2011, divided into two phases of three year each. During the first phase of the licence the licensees are required to drill an exploration well.

In the event that the exploration programme resulted in a commercial discovery being made then the licensees would require a number of statutory approvals for an extraction project, including a petroleum lease and a plan of development consent from the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. Other relevant statutory consents could include an IPPC Licence from the EPA, a Foreshore Licence from the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and a planning and development consent from An Bord Pleanála. All of these consent processes would include an environmental impact assessment with a public consultation phase. A safety permit would also be required from the Commission for Energy Regulation.