Application for consent for exploratory drilling from Nexen CNOOC (Chinese National Overseas Oil Company)

Public Consultation on an application for consent for exploratory drilling from CNOOC Petroleum Europe Limited (formerly known as Nexen Petroleum U.K. Limited)

​​An application for consent for exploratory drilling was received by the Petroleum Affairs Division of the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment from CNOOC Petroleum Europe Limited (formerly known as Nexen Petroleum U.K. Limited), within Frontier Exploration Licence FEL3/18, on 14th November 2018. The public were 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 21st December 2018 and any submission received by close of business on 21st January 2019 was considered by the Minister.

• Application for Consent for exploratory drilling - Frontier Exploration License (FEL) 3-18 Letter
• Environmental Risk Assessment (EIA Screening) Report
• Appropriate Assessment Screening Report (AA)
• Pre-drill Fisheries Report for the well.
• Underwater Archaeological Assessment​
• Update 12 February 2019

Having regard to, inter alia, the requirements of the EIA Directives and the observations received further to consultations on the screening process, the Department considers that further information was required from the applicant so that an EIA screening assessment could be carried out.

Article 4(6) of EU Directive 2014/52/EU requires that a competent authority make a screening determination “as soon as possible and within a period of time not exceeding 90 days from the date on which the developer has submitted all the information required pursuant to paragraph 4”.

The Department requested that the applicant provide further information to enable a screening determination be made.

The additional information received was published on the Department website and further submissions invited to be made on the additional material. Any submissions were taken into account in any final EIA Screening Determination made in respect of this application.

Update 22 February 2019

On 21 February 2019 the applicant, as requested by the Department, provided additional information to the Department.

This additional information was published on the Department's website on 22 February 2019.

An additional consultation period was provided until 8 March 2019. The public were invited to make submissions in relation to the additional information, which submissions could be sent to PADadmin@dccae.gov.ie.

Update 27 March 2019

An AA Screening Determination has concluded that an Appropriate Assessment was required. The AA Screening Determination can be located on the attached documents;

• AA Screening​
• Notice Natura Impact Statement
• External Review of the CNOOC Petroleum Europe Ltd AA Screening Report by independent advisors Ramboll​

Update 9 April 2019

As requested by the Department, the applicant has provided additional information to the Department.

This additional information was published on the Department's website on 9 April 2019.

• Submission Letter 9 April 2019
• Appropriate Assessment Screening Report
• Natura Impact Statement
• Article 12 Assessment Screening

An additional consultation period was provided until 29 April 2019. The public were invited to make submissions in relation to the additional information, which submissions can be sent to PADadmin@dccae.gov.ie.

Update 12 April 2019

An EIA Screening Determination has concluded that an Environmental Impact Assessment was not required. The EIA Screening Determination is located at the attached documents:-

• EIA Screening Determination
• Appendix 1 - External Review of the CNOOC Petroleum Europe Limited EIA Screening Report by Ramboll Environment and Health UK Limited.

For any queries in relation to this matter please contact the Environment Advisory Unit of the Department at 01 678 2000 or at the address below.

Environment Advisory Unit

Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment

Custom House

Dublin

D01 W6X0

Update 17 May, 2019

Publication of Appropriate Assessment Determination

On 17th May 2019, a Determination was made, under the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 477 of 2011), as amended, that the application by CNOOC Petroleum Europe Limited to drill a single exploration well in the lolar prospect under Frontier Exploration Licence (FEL) 3/18 in the Porcupine Basin offshore of the south west of Ireland would not adversely affect the integrity of a European site (whether individually or in combination with other plans or projects).

The full Determination, and the relevant documents below:

• Appropriate Assessment Determination
• Appropriate Assessment Notice
• Appendix 1 Ramboll report

Notice of the Grant of Permission to undertake drilling activities on proposed well 52/4-A Iolar Prospect, FEL 3/18:

The Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment has made a decision on the application from CNOOC Petroleum Europe Limited to undertake drilling activities on proposed well 52/4-A Iolar Prospect, FEL 3/18.

The Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment has decided:

• To grant permission to CNOOC to undertake drilling activities on proposed well 52/4-A, Iolar Prospect pursuant to Frontier Exploration Licence 3/18;
• To consent to the placement of a temporary well head and associated infrastructure on the seabed, pursuant to Section 5(2) of the Continental Shelf Act 1968, as amended.

Subject to conditions, for the following reasons:

• As set out in detail in the EIA Screening Determination of 12 April 2019, the drilling of an exploration well on the Iolar Prospect can be completed without significant effects on the environment, subject to attachment of specified conditions;
• As set out in detail in the AA Determination of 17 May 2019, the application to drill an exploration well on the Iolar Prospect, would not adversely affect the integrity of a European site (whether individually or in combination with other plans or projects), subject to attachment of specified conditions;
• The technical elements of the proposals are acceptable and meet the Department's requirements. It is considered that information delivered from such activity will underpin greater geological understanding of the basin subsurface in a frontier unexplored part of the Irish offshore. A well would also provide information on prospect seal lithology, effectiveness and trap potential and the findings could help de-risk the Irish Atlantic Margin Middle Jurassic play. The data provided from the proposed Iolar Prospect well would act as a key control point in assessing the prospectivity in an underexplored basin and would enable assessment of the potential fairways and petroleum systems within the Porcupine Basin;
• The applicant has provided sufficient evidence that suitable insurance cover is in place and that the applicant's overall Financial Responsibility estimate is reasonable to meet the costs of carrying out the offshore petroleum activities in question, to meet the costs of effective emergency response and subsequent remediation in the event of a major accident, and to have appropriate insurance, indemnity or other financial assurance instruments to cover liabilities potentially deriving from the applicant's offshore activities;
• Having consulted with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport regarding the safety of navigation pursuant to Section 5 of the Continental Shelf Act 1968, it was confirmed that there is no impact on safety of navigation, should a temporary well head be located at the proposed location of drilling operations and provided certain information is supplied to the Marine Safety Office;
• The development of Ireland's indigenous oil and gas resources has the potential to deliver significant and sustained benefits, particularly in terms of enhanced security of supply, import substitution, fiscal return, national and local economic development and technology learning;

Please note that the validity of this decision 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.