Written answers

Wednesday, 17 February 2021

Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment

Offshore Exploration

Photo of Jennifer WhitmoreJennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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39. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent of flaring of hydrocarbons by offshore undertakings; the terms and conditions regarding flaring by current and prospective offshore undertakings; the initiatives in place to prevent and end non-emergency flaring; the assessments of greenhouse gas, GHG, emissions and environmental impacts associated with all flaring; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8158/21]

Photo of Jennifer WhitmoreJennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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40. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if GHG emissions associated with exploration, drilling, flaring, expected future operations and future fossil fuel supplies of applicants are reviewed and assessed by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8159/21]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 40 together.

There are currently no offshore flaring operations taking place in Irish waters, with such operations currently limited to the onshore Corrib gas terminal at Bellanaboy.

The petroleum regulatory framework sets out measures in relation to flaring associated with oil and gas exploration and production operations. The flaring and venting of petroleum in connection with such operations is subject to my prior approval, in accordance with section 61 of the Licensing Terms for Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration.

Furthermore, in accordance with the Rules and Procedures for Offshore Petroleum Production, an operator must submit to my Department for approval a detailed Management Plan prior to the commencement of production under a Petroleum Lease. This Management Plan must include a description of how a commitment to minimising flaring or venting of gas will be pursued, both at the commissioning and production phases.

In addition, applications for offshore exploration activities (including drilling) under petroleum authorisations and applications for the working of petroleum under a Petroleum Lease are subject to environmental assessment before being considered, to ensure that the impact of the activity in question on the environment is fully considered, in accordance with the Environmental Impact Assessment and Birds and Habitats Directives.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for compiling and reporting on Ireland’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on an annual basis, for submission to the EU and UN. This includes GHG emissions from flaring and venting as well as any GHG emissions from offshore oil and gas exploration, which must be reported by operators of offshore installations in accordance with the OSPAR Convention, to which Ireland is a contracting party.

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