Public Consultation on application by Vermilion Exploration and Production Ireland Limited (VEPIL) to conduct an offshore pipeline survey and campaign of inspection, repair and maintenance (Corrib Field)

An application for consent for an offshore pipeline and subsea structure inspection to include repair and maintenance work as necessary and a near shore pipeline inspection of the Corrib Offshore Pipeline and Umbilical system from the landfall valve site in Glengad, Co. Mayo to the Corrib Wells was received by the Geoscience Regulation Office of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications on 10 December 2021. The application has been received from Vermilion Exploration and Production Ireland Limited (VEPIL), who operate the Corrib Petroleum Lease, granted by the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications pursuant to Section 13 of the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development Act 1960.

The public are invited to make submissions in relation to this application.

Submissions can be sent to GSRO@decc.gov.ie.

This application was posted on the website on 23 December 2021 and any submission received by close of business on 8 February 2022 will be considered by the Minister.

EIA Screening Determination

On 8 March 2022 an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Screening determination was made in accordance with Directive 2011/92/EU, as amended by Directive 2014/52/EU (EIA Directive) that the geophysical, and visual survey programme proposed in the Vermillion application is not likely to have significant effects on the environment and, consequently, an Environmental Impact Assessment is not required, subject to the mitigation measures included in the EIA Screening Determination being included as conditions in any consent that may be granted in respect of the application. Further, that the applicant must seek prior approval from DECC for the vessel(s) to be used, in which case confirmation of equivalence will be required and that the nature and extent of the proposed activities described in the EIA Screening Report have not materially changed.

AA Screening Determination and Annex IV Assessment: Stage 2 Appropriate Assessment Required

On 10 March 2022 a determination was made, following screening under Regulation 42 of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 477 of 2011), as amended, that a Stage 2 Appropriate Assessment is required in respect of the geophysical and visual survey programme, the subject of the Vermillion application, as it cannot be excluded on the basis of objective scientific information that the proposed survey programme, individually or in combination with other plans or projects, will have a significant effect on a European Site.

Next Steps

The application is now subject to a 30 day statutory public consultation for the purposes of conducting a Stage 2 Appropriate Assessment of the application which will be completed following the conclusion of the public consultation. Any submissions received will be taken into account in any final Appropriate Assessment Determination made in respect of this application. Submissions should be sent to EAU@decc.gov.ie

Inspection of Determinations

The application and relevant documents may be also inspected free of charge or purchased on payment of a specified charge (not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy) by arrangement by emailing EAU@decc.gov.ie

Judicial Review

Please note that the validity the EIA Screening Determination and/or the AA Screening determination may be questioned by Judicial Review under Order 84 of the Rules of the Superior Courts (S.I. No.15 of 1986), as amended. Any application for leave to apply for judicial review must be made promptly and in any event within three months from the date of the Determination. Practical information on Judicial Review can be obtained from the Citizens Information Board, Ground Floor, George's Quay House, 43 Townsend Street, Dublin 2 or from the Courts Website.

Disclaimer: The above is intended for information purposes. It does not purport to be a legally binding interpretation of the relevant provisions on judicial review and it would be advisable for persons contemplating legal action to seek legal advice.

Appropriate Assessment Determination and Annex IV Species Assessment

On 3 May 2022, an Appropriate Assessment determination was made under Regulation 42 of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 477 of 2011) (as amended), that the proposed geophysical and visual survey programme (as described in the Vermillion Application), either individually or in combination with any other plans or projects, will not adversely affect the integrity of any European site in view of the sites’ conservation objectives, subject to the implementation of the mitigation measures adopted in the Determination, which must be included as conditions in any consent that may be granted in respect of the application.

It was further concluded that, should consent be granted in respect of the Vermillion application, the proposed geophysical and visual survey programme will not have an adverse effect on the conservation status of Annex IV species that may be present in the area, subject to the implementation of all the mitigation measures adopted, which must be included as conditions in any consent that may be granted in respect of this application.

Vermillion must seek vessel approval from the Department prior to commencement of the proposed activities and this must also be included as a condition to any consent that may be granted in respect of this application.

The AA Determination and Annex IV Species Assessment and the relevant documents are available below.

Next Steps

The application has now been returned to the Geoscience Regulations Office (GSRO) in the Department who will make a recommendation to the Minister regarding whether consent should be given for the activities applied for.

Inspection of Determination

The application and relevant documents may be also inspected free of charge or purchased (on payment of a specified charges (not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy) by arrangement by emailing EAU@decc.gov.ie

Judicial Review

Please note that the validity of the AA Determination / Annex IV Species Assessment may be questioned by Judicial Review under Order 84 of the Rules of the Superior Courts (S.I. No.15 of 1986), as amended. Any application for leave to apply for judicial review must be made promptly and in any event within three months from the date of the Determination. Practical information on judicial review can be obtained from the Citizens Information Board, Ground Floor, Georges Quay House, 43 Townsend Street, Dublin 2 or online or from the Courts Website.

Disclaimer: The above is intended for information purposes. It does not purport to be a legally binding interpretation of the relevant provisions on judicial review and it would be advisable for persons contemplating legal action to seek legal advice.

We are committed to engaging with stakeholders in a clear, open and transparent manner. Any person or organisation can make a submission in relation to this consultation. All submissions and feedback will be considered before the final decision is made.

Please note that responses to this consultation are subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2014 (FOI), Access to Information on the Environment Regulations 2007-2018 (AIE) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Please also note that we intend to publish the contents of all submissions received to our consultations on our website. We will redact personal data prior to publication. In responding to this consultation, parties should clearly indicate where their responses contain personal information, commercially sensitive information or confidential information which they would not wish to be released under FOI, AIE or otherwise published.

We would like to draw your attention to our Data Privacy Notice which explains how and when we collect personal data, why we do so and how we treat this information. It also explains your rights in relation to the collection of personal information and how you can exercise those rights.

The Department accepts petitions from the public. However, where petitions are submitted, each Petition Organiser should be aware that details provided by petition signatories when signing the petition (e.g. names, addresses, email addresses, telephone numbers etc) is categorised as ‘personal data’ which is subject to GDPR (EU Regulation 2016/679 ‘General Data Protection Regulation 2018’). Petition Organisers are Data Controller in respect of any personal data provided by petition signatories. Accordingly, where petitions are submitted you are required to confirm in your submission that:

all individuals whose personal data is provided in the Petition have consented to the processing of their personal data by the Petition Holder and the Department (as outlined in our Privacy Statement above),

OR

that you otherwise have a legal basis (please specify) for providing such personal data to the Department for the purposes of participation in this consultation.

• Application Decision
• Decision Documentation