Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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A total of 182 petroleum exploration, appraisal and development/production wells have been drilled in Irish waters. These wells comprise three categories: (i) those that are producing or that have been completed and are ready for production; (ii) those that have been permanently plugged and abandoned, i.e. permanently closed with the setting of cement plugs in relevant sections of the wellbore and all surface equipment removed, in accordance with best industry practice; and (iii) those that have been temporarily abandoned (suspended).

Of the 182 wells a total of 14 wells are suspended. All of these wells are in areas that are under current Licences. While revenue from these wells includes an annual rental fee, the greater part of the value of these Licences is generated through the delivery of specific activities under agreed work programmes between the Licensee and the Minister. Such work programmes include phased obligations with respect to the acquisition of data and the submission of geological and geophysical data accompanied by comprehensive technical analysis together with obligations to drill wells within agreed timeframes.

These activities are fundamental to progressing the petroleum industry in Ireland and are of considerable importance in their benefits to the State