Policy Statement - Petroleum Exploration and Production Activities as part of Ireland’s Transition to a Low Carbon Economy

This Policy Statement sets out a vision for natural gas in the Irish Offshore as a key component of our energy mix as we transition to a low carbon economy.

It includes:

(A) The underpinning principles for petroleum exploration and production in the broader context of the government's Climate Action Plan

(B) The future development management framework for the exploration and production of natural gas, as a transition fuel, in Ireland's offshore

(C) The energy security rationale for natural gas, including:

• the need for back-up capacity for renewable power generation via lower CO2 emitting fossil fuels (natural gas)
• the impact of the reduction of peat, coal and oil use on gas demand and
• our increasing reliance on imports given the decline of current indigenous supplies, also mirrored by a growing reliance at EU-level on imports (74% from outside the EU and growing)

This policy has since been updated with the publication of the 2022 Policy Statement on Petroleum Exploration and Production in Ireland, which sets out the policy in accordance with the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021.