Past Activities

Operator:
San Leon Energy Plc

Authorisation:
FEL 1/04 (Porcupine)

Blocks:
Blocks 26/27(p), 26/28, 35/2(p) & 35/3(p)

Activity:
3D Seismic Acquisition Survey

Well Identification:
N/A

Vessel Name/Call Sign:
M/V Ramform Vanguard / C6TU8


Owned/Operated by:
PGS Exploration (UK) Ltd

Location:
The survey operational area is enclosed by the following coordinates:


Reference Drawings:
N/A

Start Date:
29 April 2011

Duration:
3 - 4 Weeks

Expected Completion:
15 May 2011


Comments:
The vessel will tow ten 6000m long solid streamers at a 100m spacing during the acquisition. This will restrict the ability to manoeuvre. Other vessels are therefore requested to give this operation a wide berth.






Operator:
Providence Resources

Authorisation:


Blocks:
Blocks 50/11 Hook Head, 48/24 Barryroe,

Activity:
Multibeam & Side Scan Sonar Survey

Well Identification:
N/A

Vessel Name/Call Sign:
R/V Celtic Voyager / EIQN


Owned/Operated by:
Marine Institute

Location:
The survey operational area is enclosed by the following coordinates:


Reference Drawings:
N/A

Start Date:
29 March 2011

Duration:
2 Weeks

Expected Completion:
12 April 2011


Comments:
The vessel will tow a side scan sonar and magnetometer from time to time with cables of up to 300m long.







Operator:
San Leon Energy Plc

Authorisation:
FEL 4/06 (Slyne)

Blocks:
Blocks 27/18, 27/23, 27/17(p) & 27/22(p)

Activity:
3D Seismic Acquisition Survey

Well Identification:
N/A

Vessel Name/Call Sign:
M/V Ramform Vanguard / C6TU8


Owned/Operated by:
PGS Exploration (UK) Ltd

Location:
The survey operational area is enclosed by the following coordinates:


Reference Drawings:
N/A

Start Date:
29 July 2010

Duration:
3 -4 Weeks

Expected Completion:
26 August 2010


Comments:
The vessel will tow ten 6000m long solid streamers at a 100m spacing during the acquisition. This will restrict the ability to manoeuvre. Other vessels are therefore requested to give this operation a wide berth.









Operator:
Shell E & P Ireland Limited (SEPIL)

Authorisation:
Corrib Petroleum Lease & FEL 3/94

Block:

Vessel Name/Call Sign: SEDCO 711/ ELBU6

Owned/Operated by: Transocean

Location :

Start Date: Q2 2010

Duration: April/May - September 2010

Expected Completion: September 2010

Comments: Activities of the Sedco 711 will involve completion work at the P2 well in the Corrib Field plus the drilling of well 18/20-G.

Locations:











Operator:
ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Ireland (Offshore) Limited

Authorisation:
FEL 3/04

Blocks:
Block 44/18, 19, 23 & 24

Activity:
Site Survey

Well Identification:
N/A

Vessel Name/Call Sign:
Fugro Meridian / C6QR4

Owned/Operated by:
Fugro Survey Ltd.

Location:
The survey operational area is enclosed by the following coordinates:


Reference Drawings:
N/A

Start Date:
July 2010

Duration:
3 -4 Weeks

Expected Completion:
August 2010


Comments:
The vessel will tow one 3km long streamer during the acquisition. This will restrict the ability to manoeuvre. Other vessels are therefore requested to give this operation a wide berth.







Operator:
PSE Kinsale Energy Limited

Authorisation:

Blocks:

Activity:
The vessel will undertake seabed mapping, side scan sonar survey, sub-bottom profiling along with seabed core and grab samples

Well Identification:
N/A

Vessel Name/Call Sign:
Celtic Explorer / EIGB

Owned/Operated by:
Marine Institute, Rinville, Oranmore, Co. Galway

Other Vessel Names/Call Signs:
Rebecca-C / FIFM-2
Denis Murphy / EIJQ

These will undertake similar tasks inshore. Vessels are restricted in their movements while towing a cable astern and undertaking underwater operations.

Location:
The survey will extend over a distance of 54km along a 500m corridor between the following coordinates:


Reference Drawings:
Available from dmtoomey@kinsale-energy.ie

Start Date:
July 29th 2010

Duration:
5 -7 Weeks

Expected Completion:
September 2010


Comments:
All vessels are requested to give the operation a wide berth. Vessels will be listening on VHF CH 16 throughout the project.

All mariners are reminded of their responsibilities under the International Collision Regulations and are reminded of Marine Notice No. 17 of 2007, which gives general advice in relation to activities of vessel engaged in survey work for hydrographic, seismic, fishing research and underwater operations.








Operator:
ENI UK Ltd.

Authorisation:
Licence 7/97

Block:

Vessel Name/Call Sign:
West Phoenix

Owned/Operated by:

Location :

Start Date: Q3 / Q4 2009

Duration:

Expected Completion:

Comments:
Preliminary information





Operator:
Shell E & P Ireland Limited (SEPIL)

Authorisation:
Corrib Petroleum Lease & FEL 3/94

Block: 18/20 & 18/25

Vessel Name/Call Sign: M.V. Geo Prospector / HP2038

Owned/Operated by: Fugro Survey Ltd

Location :

Start Date: End March 2010

Duration: 10 days
Expected Completion: Mid April 2010

Comments: A 3 km x 3 km anchoring conditions survey is to be conducted around the proposed 18/25-1(P2) well location., for the emplacement of a semi submersible drilling rig at a future date.
An environmental baseline survey will also be conducted around the proposed well 18/20-G.

Locations:











Operator:
VP Power Limited

Authorisation:
Prospecting Licence no 136475107 for area 3958 issued by Exploration and Mining Division of DCENR

Blocks:
33/22, Kish Bank

Activity:
Well Site Survey

Well Identification:
33/22-2A
33/22-3A
33/22-4A

Vessel Name/Call Sign:
RV Keary/ EIG09

Owned/Operated by:
Geological Survey of Ireland

Location:



Reference Drawings:
N/A

Start Date:
Week commencing 28th September 2009

Duration:
Up to 10 Days

Expected Completion:
Early October 2009

Comments:







Operator:
VP Power Ltd

Authorisation:
Prospecting Licence no. 136475107 for area 3958 (in Kish Bank Basin off Dublin and Wicklow Coast) Issued by the Exploration and Mining Division of DCENR

Blocks:
33/22

Activity:
Exploration Well

Well Identification:
cgb A

Vessel Name/Call Sign:
Fugro Synergy/ To be advised
Marine VHF Intership Channel will be CH. 17

Owned/Operated by:
Fugro Well Services Ltd.

Location:



Reference Drawings:
N/A

Start Date:
mid November 2009

Duration:
10 Days

Expected Completion:
25th November 2009

Comments:
The well will be a shallow coal exploration well drilling to a primary target in the Upper Carboniferous Westphalian B/C formation.





Operator:
VP Power Ltd

Authorisation:
Prospecting Licence no. 136475107 for area 3958 (in Kish Bank Basin off Dublin and Wicklow Coast) Issued by the Exploration and Mining Division of DCENR

Blocks:
33/22

Activity:
Exploration Well

Well Identification:
cgb B

Vessel Name/Call Sign:
Fugro Synergy/ To be advised
Marine VHF Intership Channel will be CH. 17

Owned/Operated by:
Fugro Well Services Ltd.

Location:



Reference Drawings:
N/A

Start Date:
25th November 2009

Duration:
11 Days

Expected Completion:
5th December 2009

Comments:
The well will be a shallow coal exploration well drilling to a primary target in the Upper Carboniferous Westphalian B/C formation.






Operator:
VP Power Ltd

Authorisation:
Prospecting Licence no. 136475107 for area 3958 (in Kish Bank Basin off Dublin and Wicklow Coast) Issued by the Exploration and Mining Division of DCENR

Blocks:
33/22

Activity:
Exploration Well

Well Identification:
cgb C

Vessel Name/Call Sign:
Fugro Synergy/ To be advised
Marine VHF Intership Channel will be CH. 17

Owned/Operated by:
Fugro Well Services Ltd.

Location:



Reference Drawings:
N/A

Start Date:
5th December 2009

Duration:
10 Days

Expected Completion:
mid December 2009

Comments:
The well will be a shallow coal exploration well drilling to a primary target in the Upper Carboniferous Westphalian B/C formation.








Operator:
Shell E & P Ireland Limited (SEPIL)

Authorisation:
Licence 3/94

Blocks:
Block 18/20, Slyne Basin

Activity:
Well Site Survey

Well Identification:
18/20 - G

Vessel Name/Call Sign:
Fugro Meridian / C6QR4

Owned/Operated by:
Fugro Survey Ltd.

Location:



Reference Drawings:
N/A

Start Date:
Mid August 2009

Duration:
10 Days

Expected Completion:
End August 2009

Comments:
A 3.5km x 3.5km anchoring conditions survey is to be conducted around the proposed 18/20-G well location, defined by the attached co-ordinates, for the emplacement of a semi submersible drilling rig at a future date.







Operator:
Marathon Oil Ireland Ltd. (PSE Kinsale Energy)

Authorisation:
Petroleum Lease No. 1

Blocks:
48/20

Activity:
Inspection survey.

Well Identification:
N/A

Vessel Name/Call Sign:
MV Granuaile / EIPT

Owned/Operated by:
Irish Lights

Location:
Kinsale Head Gasfield, Platform Alpha (51.22N - 07.56W)
Platform Bravo (51 21N - 08 00W)
Ballycotton Sub-sea Wellhead (51 27N - 08 07W)
South West Kinsale Sub-sea wellhead (51 19N 08 05W)
Seven Heads Subsea Manifold (51 11N – 08 20 W).


Reference Drawings:
N/A

Start Date:
Late July / August 2009

Duration:
2 weeks

Expected Completion:


Comments:











Operator:
Marathon Oil Ireland Ltd. (PSE Kinsale Energy)

Authorisation:
Petroleum Lease No. 1

Blocks:
48/20

Activity:
52 sq km 3D seismic survey.

Well Identification:
N/A

Vessel Name/Call Sign:
BOS Angler / LAGU7

Owned/Operated by:
Bergen Oilfield Services AS
Sandviksbodene IE,NO-5035 Bergen, Norway

Location:
The survey area is enclosed by the following coordinates


Reference Drawings:
N/A

Start Date:
Approx 28th July 2009

Duration:
4 - 6 days

Expected Completion:


Comments:
The vessel will tow six 5km-long streamers, and will have a turning radius of 2 km. The vessel will be accompanied by the chase vessel “M/V MARY ANN – J8DX6” . The seismic vessel will be restricted in her ability to manoeuvre whilst carrying out the survey and all vessels are requested to give this operation a wide berth. The vessel will be listening on VHF CH 16 throughout the project.






Operator:
Providence Resources

Authorisation:
FEL 02/04 & 04/08

Blocks:
35/2,3,4,7,8 &9

Activity:
300 sq km 3D seismic survey.

Well Identification:
N/A

Vessel Name/Call Sign:
BOS Angler / LAGU7

Owned/Operated by:
Bergen Oilfield Services AS
Sandviksbodene IE,NO-5035 Bergen, Norway

Location:
Porcupine Basin



Reference Drawings:
N/A

Start Date:
20th June 2009

Duration:
4 to 6 weeks

Expected Completion:


Comments:
The primary data acquired will be a 294 Km2 3D seismic survey designed for high resolution imaging of the Spanish Point structure and to aid in the placement of future exploration and appraisal wells. The 3D seismic survey has also been designed to serve as the base survey for comparing with potential future 4D seismic.







Operator:
Serica Energy

Authorisation:
PEL 01/06

Block:
27/4

Vessel Name/Call Sign:
Ocean Guardian / V7FF7
Marine VHF Intership Channel will be CH. 17

Owned/Operated by:
Diamond Offshore Drilling UK

Well Location :


Start Date:
8th May 2009

Duration:
21 to 33 days

Expected Completion:
Early June 2009

Comments:
The well will be a shallow exploration well drilling to a primary target in the Triassic sandstone formation. A number of formation evaluation techniques may be performed although no DST
is planned for this well.





Operator:
Providence Resources Plc

Authorisation:
Licensing Option 03/08

Block:
50/11

Activity:
Geohazard and Anchor Clearance Drill site survey over the Hook Head prospect. The survey area is approximately 10 km X 14 km.

Well Identification:
N/A

Vessel Name/Call Sign:
RV Celtic Voyager / EIQN

Owned/Operated by:
Marine Institute, Rinville, Oranmore, Co. Galway

Location:
North Celtic Sea Basin
The survey area is enclosed by the following coordinates (International Spheroid, ED50 Datum)













Reference Drawings:
N/A

Start Date:
4th January 2008

Duration:


Expected Completion:


Comments:
The survey will include Single and Multibeam Echo-Sounder, Side Scan Sonar, Sub-Bottom Profiler, Grab Samplers and Seabed Photography / Video.




Operator:
Providence Resources Plc

Authorisation:
Standard Exploration Licence 02/07

Block:
50/11 & 50/06

Activity:
Geohazard and Anchor Clearance Drill site survey over the Hook Head and Dunmore prospects. The survey area at Hook Head is approximately 10 km X 14 km, and at Dunmore is approximately 4 km X 4 km.

Well Identification:
N/A

Vessel Name/Call Sign:
RV Celtic Explorer / EIGB

Owned/Operated by:
Marine Institute, Rinville, Oranmore, Co. Galway

Location:
North Celtic Sea Basin
The survey area is enclosed by the following coordinates (International Spheroid, ED50 Datum)

Hook Head (10km x 14km box area)














Dunmore (4km x 4km box area)














Reference Drawings:
N/A

Start Date:
23rd February 2008

Duration:


Expected Completion:


Comments:
The survey will include Single and Multibeam Echo-Sounder, Side Scan Sonar, Sub-Bottom Profiler, Grab Samplers and Seabed Photography / Video. There will also be some seismic work at Dunmore only using a 150cuin GI air gun source and a 1200m streamer.





Operator:
Island Oil and Gas Plc

Authorisation:
Standard Exploration Licences 4/05 and 5/05

Blocks:
Old Head Area 49/17(p), 49/22(p), and 49/23(p)
Schull Area 48/26(p), 48/27(p), 57/1(p) and 57/2

Activity:
2D seismic survey. Area at Old Head is approximately 180 square km (320 line km) and the survey area at Schull is approximately 455 square km. (450 line km)

Well Identification:
N/A

Vessel Name/Call Sign:
RV Celtic Explorer / EIGB

Owned/Operated by:
Marine Institute, Rinville, Oranmore, Co. Galway.

Location:
Celtic Sea Basin

The Old Head of Kinsale survey area is enclosed by the following coordinates
Geodetic Lat-Long
1. 51 deg 22’ N - 7 deg 38’ W
2. 51 deg 22’ N - 7 deg 26’ W
3. 51 deg 16’ N - 7 deg 26’ W
4. 51 deg 16’ N - 7 deg 38’ W

The Schull survey area is enclosed by the following coordinates
Geodetic Lat-Long
1. 51 deg 40’ N - 8 deg 55’ W
2. 51 deg 40’ N - 8 deg 41’ W
3. 50 deg 49’ N - 8 deg 41’ W
4. 50 deg 49’ N - 8 deg 55’ W

Reference Drawings:
N/A

Start Date:
31st May 2008

Duration:
15 days total.

Expected Completion:
14th June 2008.

Comments:
The seismic survey will be acquired using a 150cubic inch GI air gun source and will record using a 1500m streamer. The vessel will be restricted in her ability to maneuver whilst carrying out the survey and all vessels are requested to give this operation a wide berth.







Operator:
Lansdowne Oil & Gas plc

Authorisation:
PPL 1/06 and Standard Exploration Licence 5/08

Blocks:
47/25, 48/21 & 48/22

Activity:
Acquisition of 2D seismic data in an area covering about 700 sq km.

Well Identification:
N/A

Vessel Name/Call Sign:
M/V Malene Ostervold/ LCIU

Owned/Operated by:
Wavefield Inseis ASA, Bergen, Norway.

Location:
North Celtic Sea Basin
The survey area is enclosed by the following co-ordinates:

Latitude: Longitude:
1 51° 05’ 00”N -09° 15’ 00”W
2 51° 05’ 00”N -08° 40’ 00”W
3 51° 20’ 00”N -08° 40’ 00”W
4 51° 20’ 00”N -09° 15’ 00”W

Reference Drawings:
N/A

Start Date:
30th April 2008

Duration:
Expected to take approximately 14 days .

Expected Completion:
Mid May.

Comments:
The seismic vessel M/V Malene Ostervold will tow up to 6km of sonar cable. The vessel will be restricted in her ability to manoeuvre whilst carrying out the survey and all vessels are requested to give this operation a wide berth.







Operator:
Eni Ireland BV

Authorisation:
Exploration Licence 7/97 and 1/99

Blocks:
11/20 & 43/19

Activity:
Geohazard, Seabed sampling and clearance Drill site survey over the above locations. The survey area at both sites is approximately 5 km by 5 km.

Well Identification:
N/A

Vessel Name/Call Sign:
MV Deepworker / H043863

Owned/Operated by:
Retech Marine Ltd, Sheffield, UK

Location:

The survey area is centred on the following coordinates (International Spheroid, ED50 Datum)




Reference Drawings:
N/A

Start Date:
Mid May 2008

Duration:
2 to 3 weeks

Expected Completion:
June 2008

Comments:
The survey will include Single and Multibeam Echo-Sounder, Side Scan Sonar, Sub-Bottom Profiler, Grab Samplers and Seabed Photography / Video.









Operator:
Statoil Exploration (Ireland) Limited

Authorisation:
Licence 5/94

Block: 19/8-1

Vessel Name/Call Sign: Ocean Vanguard / V7EG7

Owned/Operated by: Diamond Offshore Netherlands BV

Location :
Block 19/8
Lat : 54 deg 42 min 23.58 sec North / Long : 10 deg 26 min 20.37 sec West

Start Date: Mid May 2008

Duration: 115 days approximately

Expected Completion: Mid September 2008

Comments:




Operator:
Shell E & P Ireland Limited (SEPIL)

Authorisation:
Licence 2/94

Block:12/2

Vessel Name/Call Sign: Leiv Eiriksson / C6PZ7

Owned/Operated by: Ocean Rig OSA

Location : Rockall Basin, approx. 130 km north west of Donegal

Start Date: Early March 2008

Duration: Anticipated 3-4 months

Expected Completion: May-June 2008

Comments:

Locations:







Operator:
Providence Resources Plc

Authorisation:
Licence 02/07

Block: 50/11-H

Vessel Name/Call Sign: Arctic 2 / YJSU8

Owned/Operated by: Transocean Incorporated

Location :
Block 50/11
Lat: 51º 35’ 41.882” N / Long: 06º 57’ 03.80” W
Easting 641927
Northing 5718098
(UTM zone 29 (9° West) Ellipsoid:
International 1924, Datum ED50)

Start Date: 15 August 2008

Duration: 60 days approximately

Expected Completion: 18 October 2008

Comments:





[

Operator:
ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Ireland (Offshore) Ltd.

Authorisation:
Frontier Exploration Licences 1/08 and 2/08

Blocks:
52/5, 52/10, 52/13, 52/14, 52/15, 52/18, 52/19, 52/20, 52/23, 52/24, 53/1, 53/6 and 53/11

Activity:
2D seismic survey.

Well Identification:
N/A

Vessel Name/Call Sign:
M/V CGG Princess / JXBV3

Owned/Operated by:
CGG Veritas Services SA, Compton Way, Manor Royal Estate, Crawley, West Sussex RH10 9QN, United Kingdom.

Location:
Porcupine Basin

The survey area is enclosed by the following coordinates
Geodetic Lat-Long (ED50 / UTM Zone 28)
1. 51 deg 14’ N - 14 deg 00’ W
2. 51 deg 14’ N - 12 deg 15’ W
3. 49 deg 55’ N - 12 deg 15’ W
4. 49 deg 55’ N - 14 deg 00’ W

Reference Drawings:
N/A

Start Date:
Mid June 2008

Duration:
3 - 4 weeks.

Expected Completion:
July 2008.

Comments:
The seismic survey will be acquired using a 36 bolt(Bolt 1500LL and Bolt 1900LLX models) air gun array with total volume of 5080 cubic inches and will record using a 8.1 km solid streamer towed at 9m. The vessel will be restricted in her ability to maneuver whilst carrying out the survey and all vessels are requested to give this operation a wide berth.







Operator:
Marathon Oil Ireland Ltd.

Authorisation:


Blocks:


Activity:
ROV survey.

Well Identification:
N/A

Vessel Name/Call Sign:
MV Granuaile / EIPT

Owned/Operated by:
Irish Lights

Location:
The survey will take place around the Seven Heads Manifold Lat 51° 11' 48.489"N Long 08° 20' 03.087"W

Reference Drawings:
N/A

Start Date:
July 13th 2008 approx

Duration:
Approximately 10 days depending on weather

Expected Completion:
July 2008.

Comments:
All vessels in particular fishing vessels are asked to give the MV Granuaile a wide berth of at least one mile.









Operator:
Marathon Oil Ireland Ltd.

Authorisation:


Blocks:


Activity:
Pipeline survey.

Well Identification:
N/A

Vessel Name/Call Sign:
RV Celtic Voyager / EIQN

Owned/Operated by:
Marine Institute, Rinville, Oranmore, Co. Galway

Location:
The survey will take place along the existing pipeline routes in the Celtic Sea

Between the shore-line at Inch Beach in County Cork and Platform Alpha Lat 51° 22' 14.953" N Long 07° 56' 41.770

Between Platform Alpha and the Seven Heads Manifold Lat 51° 11' 48.489"N Long 08° 20' 03.087"W

Between Platform Bravo Lat 51° 21' 38.913"N Long 08° 00' 55.769"W and the Ballycotton Wellhead Lat 51° 27' 07.000"N Long 08° 07' 28.407"W

Between Platform Bravo and the South West Kinsale Wellheads Lat 51° 19' 37.609"N Long 08° 05' 54.358"W

Reference Drawings:
N/A

Start Date:
July 27th 2008 approx

Duration:
Approximately 10 days depending on weather

Expected Completion:
August 2008.

Comments:
All vessels in particular fishing vessels are asked to give the Celtic Voyager a wide berth of at least one mile.






Operator:
Providence Resources Plc

Authorisation:
Licence 02/07

Block:
50/6-D

Vessel Name/Call Sign:
Arctic 2 / YJSU8

Owned/Operated by:
Transocean Incorporated

Location :
Block 50/6
Lat: 51º 45’ 17.6876” N / Long: 06º 48’ 09.4002” W
Easting 651673
Northing 5736183
(UTM Western Europe Zone 29 North:
International 1924, Datum ED50)

Start Date:
5th September, 2008

Duration:
40 days approximately

Expected Completion:

Comments:







Operator:
Serica Energy

Authorisation:
Licence: 1/06

Blocks:
27/4

Activity:
Analogue and digital site surveys at two locations in Block 27/4. Each survey will cover an area of 4 kms x 4 kms.

Well Identification:
N/A

Vessel Name/Call Sign:
M/V Fugro Meridian

Owned/Operated by:
Fugro Survey Ltd
Denmore Road
Bridge of Don
Aberdeen AB23 8JW
United Kingdom


Location:
Slyne Basin South

The survey activity will take place within 5kms of the site centres listed below:

Geodetic Lat-Long (WGS 84)

27/4-Aa 53 deg 56’ 18.142” N - 11 deg 22’ 42.049” W
27/4-Bb 53 deg 58’ 02.081” N - 11 deg 12’ 18.921” W


Reference Drawings:
N/A

Start Date:
Early August 2008

Duration:
2 weeks

Expected Completion:
Late August 2008.

Comments:
The surveys will be acquired using a 4 x 40 cu.in airgun cluster and will record using a 1200m streamer towed at 3m. depth. The vessel will be restricted in her ability to manoeuvre whilst carrying out the survey and all vessels are requested to give this operation a wide berth.







Operator:
Shell E & P Ireland Limited (SEPIL)

Authorisation:
Corrib Petroleum Lease

Block:

Vessel Name/Call Sign: SEDCO 711/ ELBU6

Owned/Operated by: Transocean

Location :

Start Date: Early April 2008

Duration: April - September 2008

Expected Completion: September 2008

Comments: Activities of the Sedco 711 will involve completion work at the central manifold location (wells P6, P101 and possibly P4) plus completion activities on the P5 well with the possibility of work on the P2 well also.

Locations:











Introduction

The dispute between Russia and Ukraine in 2008 which culminated in the interruption of gas supplies, both to the latter country and to parts of Europe, reminded us yet again of the fragility of gas supply to Western Europe and most particularly to Ireland. Our exposure to interruptions of this kind, whether for technical, political or economic reasons, has repeatedly been pointed out. This exposure is exacerbated by our disproportionate dependence on imported gas, the decline in indigenous production, and delays in bringing new supplies on stream.


Context

The stark facts are as follows. Kinsale Head and Seven Heads are currently the only producing gas fields in Ireland and can supply gas at a combined rate of about 1 mcm, equivalent to about 5% of typical winter demand. Southwest Kinsale is the only gas storage facility in Ireland and can supply gas at about 2.8 mcm, some 15% of typical wintertime demand. When fully charged, the Southwest Kinsale storage facility can maintain this rate for up to 70 days. Thus, should a serious interruption of imported supply occur, only about 20% of demand could be supplied from indigenous sources, sufficient only for maintaining system integrity and domestic supply over a limited period. Gas fired electricity generation, which constitutes over 60% of capacity, would effectively cease. No doubt in such a situation every effort would be made to bring alternative electricity supplies on-stream, either by leased generation or interconnection. However, the immediate consequences for industry, essential services and domestic supply would be very serious. It is against this background that we must review exploration and production offshore Ireland for 2008 and the position for 2009 and beyond.


2008 Progress

Significant progress was achieved on the Corrib project during 2008. The Bellanaboy gas terminal is now some 75% complete. At the start of 2009, more than 900 construction workers were employed at the Bellanaboy site, almost half of whom are from Co. Mayo. The laying of the offshore supply line was suspended last autumn because of technical difficulties onboard the pipe-laying vessel and unseasonably poor weather. Applications to An Bord Pleanala and a number of government departments for the modified onshore pipeline route are currently going through the statutory review process. Meanwhile, the Bord Gais pipeline, connecting the terminal to the national grid and providing gas supplies to twelve towns in Mayo, Roscommon and Galway, is now virtually complete. Bord Gais will be back-flowing gas to the Bellanaboy terminal when commissioning of the facility begins.

Offshore, four exploration wells were drilled, by Shell in West Dooish, StatoilHydro on the Cashel prospect, west of Mayo, and two wells south of Waterford by Providence. Regrettably, the reported results were disappointing.
The overall cost of these wells was approaching €200 million, a significant proportion of which went to the local economies of Donegal and Cork.

Late in the year, Marathon announced the sale of its Celtic Sea assets to Star Energy, a subsidiary of the Malaysian state company, Petronas, thus ending an association with the area which began with the discovery of the Kinsale Head Field in 1971. This sale has now been completed and the new entity will be known as PSE Kinsale Energy Ltd.

In the Celtic Sea, Lansdowne acquired a 500 km 2D seismic survey over a Jurassic tilted fault block prospect on the northern flank of the basin and this has been worked up to identify drillable prospects.


2009 Outlook

For 2009, the picture is clouded by the recent steep decline in oil prices and by the continuing scarcity of offshore equipment, particularly deepwater drilling rigs.

The price drop is no doubt welcome to consumers in the short term. However, it sends a contradictory signal in the light of the necessity to reduce global dependence on fossil fuels and to extend the lifetime of existing supplies. In addition, a continuation of low prices will reduce support for investment in expensive development projects, such as off Ireland’s West Coast.

The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources announced a licensing round covering a substantial acreage in the Rockall area. This round closed on 23rd April. There were two applications for licences, both of which were
from companies already holding licences in the Irish Offshore. There were no applications from new entrants. This is in stark contrast to the situation in the UK and Norway, where recent licensing rounds attracted 193 and 46 applications respectively.

It now appears that just one exploration well will be drilled this year, by Serica and its partner RWE, on the Bandon prospect west of Achill. ENI intend to drill a well in 2010 on the Fiachra prospect, North West of Donegal.

Providence Resources main operated activity offshore Ireland in 2009 will be on the Spanish Point discovery in the main Porcupine Basin. The company plans to carry out a c. 300 sq.km 3D seismic survey in order to delineate potential appraisal and development well locations on the structure.


The Way Forward

In view of the importance of indigenous production, the members of IOOA are embarking on a consultation process with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources with the object of accelerating exploration and development. It is particularly important that new entrants are attracted to the Irish offshore area, so as to maximise the exploration effort, and to make and develop the discoveries so urgently needed. The Government has set commendably ambitious targets for renewables. Why not a target for self-sufficiency in gas supply?

Finally, it is instructive to remember that had the Corrib Field commenced production to its original schedule, very significant tax revenues would now be flowing into the Government’s coffers, which would be very welcome in these difficult times.


Irish Offshore Operators’ Association,
May, 2009