Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

779. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his Departments interaction with a company (details supplied) surrounding its decision to cease exploration of offshore oil and gas at the Porcupine basin off the coast of County Kerry in July 2013; his views that their decision will impact of the future of offshore oil and gas exploration in Irish waters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37097/13]

Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

781. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the Petroleum Affairs Division of his Department has received the offshore oil and gas exploration data from ExxonMobil from their drilling activities off the coast of Ireland, as required by the licence terms when it was initially granted; if such data will be made available to the public or any other exploration company either now or in the future; how available this data will be used or availed of in years to come; if the Eirik Raude rig will stay in place, if it will be moved and when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37287/13]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 779 and 781 together.

ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Ireland (Offshore) Limited is the operator of Frontier Exploration Licence 3/04, and also holds an interest in Frontier Exploration Licence 1/99. Both Frontier Exploration Licences are located in the Porcupine Basin off the Southwest coast.

On 22 April 2013 ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Ireland (Offshore) Limited received approval from my Department to drill a single exploration well (44/23-1) on the Frontier Exploration Licence 3/04 ‘Dunquin’ prospect, utilising the Eirik Raude drilling unit. Drilling operations commenced shortly afterwards and were completed on 30 July 2013. The drilling unit departed Irish waters shortly thereafter as originally planned.

During drilling operations and in accordance with the Licensing Terms for Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration, Development and Production, and associated Rules and Procedures for Offshore Petroleum Exploration and Appraisal Operations, ExxonMobil provided my Department with technical well data which was analysed and interpreted by my Department’s technical specialists. ExxonMobil are also required to furnish a final well evaluation report to my Department in due course.

ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Ireland (Offshore) Limited remains the operator of Frontier Exploration Licence 3/04 and is currently evaluating the outcome of Exploration well 44/23-1.

In order to promote and assist effective petroleum exploration, my Department makes available to exploration companies a range of technical information relating to the Irish offshore, as soon as the confidentiality period in respect of such information has expired. In respect of Exploration well 44/23-1 the confidentiality period is five years from the completion of the well operations.