Public consultation on application for consent to conduct an offshore survey and replacement works at Corrib Well P6 proposed by Vermilion Exploration and Production Ireland Limited who currently hold the Corrib Petroleum Lease

An application for consent for an offshore survey and flexible flowline replacement works at Corrib Well P6, Corrib Field, northeast Atlantic, Ireland was received by the Petroleum Affairs Division of the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment (DCCAE) on 17 September 2020. The application has been received from Vermilion Exploration and Production Ireland Limited (VEPIL), within the Corrib Petroleum Lease, granted by the Minister for Communications Climate Action and Environment pursuant to Section 13 of the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development Act 1960.

A previous application to complete works on the Corrib Well P6 was submitted on 29 January 2020, however this application was subsequently withdrawn on 17 July 2020 due to works not proceeding in 2020. VEPIL are now re-submitting the application with revised dates.

The public are invited to make submissions in relation to this application. Submissions can be sent to PADadmin@dccae.gov.ie. By responding to the consultation, respondents consent to their name being published online with the submission. DCCAE will redact personal addresses and personal email addresses prior to publication. We would draw your attention to our Data Privacy Statement and Data Privacy Notice.

DCCAE 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 DCCAE (as outlined in our Privacy Statement above),

OR

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

This application was posted on gov.ie on 18 September 2020 and any submission received by close of business on 18 October 2020 will be considered by the Minister.

The following documents have been received:

Appropriate Assessment Screening Determination: Stage 2 Appropriate Assessment Required

On 17 December 2020, 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 Vermillion application, as it cannot be excluded on the basis of objective scientific information that the proposed works either individually or in combination with other plans or projects, will have a significant effect on a European Site.

The application will now proceed to Stage 2 Appropriate Assessment, which process will commence with an extended 30 day consultation to take into account the Christmas period on the application documents for the purposes of this assessment. Submissions are invited until 16 January 2021 and should be sent to EAU@decc.gov.ie

EIA Screening Determination

On 16 December 2020 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 proposed works are 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 if alternative survey vessels are proposed, 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 submitted with the application have not materially changed.

Judicial Review

Please note that the validity of the AA Screening and/or the EIA 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 1 March 2021, 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 Vermillion works (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 this application.

It was further concluded that there will be no adverse effects on the conservation status of Annex IV species that may be present in the area, should approval be granted in respect of the application, subject to the 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. Further, the requirement specified in the EIA Screening Determination that Vermillion must seek prior Department approval in the event that an alternative vessel is proposed must also be included as a condition to any consent that may be granted in respect of this application.

The AA Determination and the relevant documents are available below.

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, 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.

• Note: A typographical error has been identified in the published Determination in that reference is made at one point in the Determination to the previous title of the Department, which should have referred to the Department by its current title: the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, and the incorrect logo was used.

This application for consent to an offshore survey and flexible flowline replacement works at Corrib Well P6, Corrib Field proposed by Vermilion Exploration and Production Ireland Limited (VEPIL) is now withdrawn