Public consultation on resubmitted application by Vermilion E&P Ireland Limited to conduct an offshore pipeline survey and inspection of the offshore facilities in the Corrib Field

Please note that the validity any decision made on these applications 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 this decision. Practical information on the review mechanism can be obtained from Citizens Information at your local Citizens Information Centre, by phone on 0761 07 4000 or online at citizensinformation.ie.

Resubmitted application by Vermilion E&P Ireland Limited to conduct an offshore pipeline survey and inspection of the offshore facilities in the Corrib Field

Vermilion Exploration & Production Ireland (Vermilion) plan to undertake a geophysical and visual survey programme of the Corrib offshore gas pipeline, sections of the umbilical, Bellanaboy Bridge Gas Terminal (BBGT) treated surface water outfall pipeline, and infield flowlines and umbilicals between the Corrib Field manifold and the landfall at Glengad, northwest Co. Mayo. In addition, the scope of work will include a programme of repair / renewal works at the P3 wellhead including some potential rectification works and integrity testing at the Corrib Field, which will also require the use of acoustic survey equipment. The surveys will inspect and assess the integrity of the subsea structures and are being undertaken to provide up-to-date seabed asset data, which will help determine the exact requirements of maintenance work scheduled for 2019 and beyond. The public are invited to make submissions in relation to this application. Submissions can be sent to PADadmin@dccae.gov.ie

This application was posted on the department's website on 16 April 2019 and any submission received by close of business on 28 May 2019 will be considered by the Minister.

Further to Regulation 42(3) of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011-15 as amended (Birds and Habitats Regulations), Vermillion Exploration and Production Ireland Ltd have been directed to provide further information to enable screening for Appropriate Assessment be carried out on the application.

When received, the additional information will be published on the department website and further submissions invited to be made on the additional material for the purposes of the AA Screening Assessment. Any submissions received will be taken into account in any final AA Screening Determination made in respect of this application.

The applicant, as requested by the department, provided additional information to the department so that screening for an Appropriate Assessment could be carried out. This additional information has been published on the department's website on 20 June 2019.

The public are invited to make submissions in relation to the additional information until 5 July 2019. Submissions should be sent to PADadmin@dccae.gov.ie

EIA Screening Assessment

Having regard to, inter alia, the requirements of the EIA Directive (Directive 2011/92/EU, as amended), in particular Article 4 thereof, and the observations received further to public consultation on the application submitted by Vermillion Exploration and Production Ireland Limited, it is considered that further information is required from the applicant to enable an EIA screening assessment be carried out on the Vermillion application.

On 25 June, the further information considered necessary to enable an EIA screening assessment and determination be made in respect of the Vermillion application was sought from the applicant.

When received, the additional information will be published on the department website and further submissions invited to be made on the additional material. The additional public consultation in respect of the supplemental material will be for a period of 14 days. Any submissions received will be taken into account in carrying out an EIA Screening Assessment in respect of this application.

Further to the department request, the Applicant has provided additional information so that an EIA Screening Assessment can be carried out. This additional information has been published on the department's website on 5 July 2019.

The public are invited to make submissions in relation to the additional information until 19 July 2019, which will be taken into account in carrying out an EIA screening assessment of the application. Submissions should be sent to PADadmin@dccae.gov.ie

Appropriate Assessment Screening; Additional Information Requested

Further to Regulation 42(3) of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011-15 as amended (Birds and Habitats Regulations), Vermilion Exploration and Production Ireland Ltd have been directed to provide further additional information to enable screening for Appropriate Assessment be carried out on the application.

When received, the further additional information will be published on the department website and further submissions invited to be made on the further additional material for the purposes of the AA Screening Assessment. Any submissions received will be taken into account in any final AA Screening Determination made in respect of this application.

EIA Screening Assessment: Further Information Requested from Applicant

Further to, the requirements of the EIA Directive (Directive 2011/92/EU, as amended), in particular Article 4 thereof it is considered that further additional information is required from Vermilion to enable an EIA screening assessment be carried out on the application.

On 31 July 2019, the further additional information considered necessary to enable an EIA screening assessment of the Vermillion application was sought from the applicant.

When received, the additional information will be published on the department website and further submissions invited to be made on the additional material during a supplemental consultation period of 14 days. Any submissions received will be taken into account in carrying out an EIA Screening Assessment in respect of this application.

EIA Screening - Additional Information Received

Further to the department request, the Applicant has provided additional information so that an EIA Screening Assessment can be carried out. This additional information has been published on the department's website on 21 August 2019.

An additional 14 days consultation period will be provided until the 5 September 2019. The public are invited to make submissions in relation to the additional information to EAU@dccae.gov.ie

AA Screening – Additional Information Received

Further to the department request the Applicant has provided additional information so that an Appropriate Assessment Screening can be carried out. This additional information has been published on the department's website on 21 August 2019.

An additional 14 days consultation period will be provided until 5 September 2019. The public are invited to make submissions in relation to the additional information to EAU@dccae.gov.ie

Appropriate Assessment Screening Determination: Stage 2 Appropriate Assessment Required

On 14 October 2019, 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 Vermilion application, as it cannot be excluded on the basis of objective scientific information that the proposed survey programme and repair 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 a 21 day consultation on the application documents for the purposes of that assessment. Submissions are invited until 6 November 2019 and should be sent to EAU@DCCAE.GOV.IE

Publication of Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Screening Determination

EIA Screening Determination

On 14 October 2019 an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Screening determination was made under the Directive 2011/92/EU, as amended by Directive 2014/52/EU (EIA Directive) that the carrying out of an offshore pipeline survey and inspection/maintenance programme of the offshore facilities in the Corrib field, along with remedial work on the P3 well as set out in the application by Vermilion Exploration and Production Ireland Ltd (Vermilion) 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 permission that may be granted in respect of the application. Further, that the applicant must seek prior approval from DCCAE 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 that Report has not materially changed.

The EIA Screening Determination and associated documentation can be found here:

Appropriate Assessment Determination

On 26 November 2019, an Appropriate Assessment determination was made, under the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 477 of 2011), as amended, that the proposed survey programme, comprising an offshore pipeline survey and inspection/maintenance programme of the offshore facilities in the Corrib field, along with remedial work on the P3 well, will not adversely affect the integrity of the relevant European sites identified (whether individually or in combination with other plans or projects), in view of the sites' conservation objectives, subject to the implementation of the mitigation measures adopted and outlined in the Determination and the mitigation measures already adopted in the EIA Screening Determination made in respect of the Vermillion application, which must be included in any consent that may be granted in respect of this application.

It was further concluded that there would be no significant adverse effects on 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 in any consent that may be granted in respect of this application.

The AA Determination, and the relevant documents are attached below.

Decision on Application

Notice of the grant of permission to Vermilion E&P Ireland Limited to conduct an offshore pipeline survey and inspection of the offshore facilities in the Corrib Field

The Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment has made a decision on the application from Vermilion E&P Ireland Limited to conduct an offshore pipeline survey and inspection of the offshore facilities in the Corrib Field. Full details are available below.

Judicial Review

Please note that the validity of these decisions 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 decision or 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.

• Application Decision
• Decision Documentation