Application Decision: VEPIL application to conduct offshore pipeline surveys, inspection, repair and maintenance (Corrib Field)

• Notice of the grant of permission to Vermilion Exploration and Production Ireland Limited to undertake a campaign of annual inspection and maintenance surveys of the Corrib Field offshore pipeline and subsea structures for the five year period commencing 1 January 2024 and ending 1 January 2029

The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications has decided to grant approval to Vermilion Exploration and Production Ireland Limited (VEPIL) to undertake a campaign of annual inspection and maintenance surveys of the Corrib Field offshore pipeline and subsea structures from the landfall valve site at Glengad, Co. Mayo to the Corrib Field, subject to conditions for the following reasons.

• As set out in detail in the EIA Screening Determination of 4 December 2023, which concluded that the application by VEPIL to undertake inspection, repair and maintenance (IRM) tasks which are due to take place on the operation Corrib Field (including offshore pipelines and umbilical system infrastructure installed between landfall valve site in Glengad, Co. Mayo out to the Corrib Wells) are not likely to have a significant effect on the environment and, consequently, an Environmental Impact Assessment is not required in respect of the proposed works the subject of the VEPIL application, subject to the implementation of the mitigation measures. The EIA Screening Determination also states that any such consent does not extend beyond a period of five years beginning on 1 January 2024 and ending on 1 January 2029, with a provision that the applicant must adequately undertake the annual inspections/survey campaign as planned, and that depending on the results of these annual inspection/survey campaigns, the survey design may need to be modified (for example, in order to adjust for any potential under-sampling), and that this should be reviewed on an annual basis. Furthermore, the EAU recommends that in relation to any consent that may be granted in respect of this VEPIL application, that the Department receives a copy of the annual inspection report in respect of each year that any consent is valid for, in the year following the carrying out of each such inspection/survey campaign. EAU also recommends, that should the survey design need to be modified, the Department be notified immediately, in writing, of any such modifications which are proposed to be made to the survey design, which will then require Departmental approval prior to the applicant’s mobilisation for the subsequent survey campaign period.
• As set out in detail in the AA Determination of 29 February 2024, the EAU decided that the application by VEPIL to undertake a campaign of inspection, repair and maintenance (IRM) tasks on the operation Corrib Field (including offshore pipelines and umbilical system infrastructure installed between landfall valve site in Glengad, Co. Mayo out to the Corrib Wells) will not adversely affect the integrity of any European site, in view of its conservation objectives, subject to the full implementation of the mitigation measures. The AA Determination also states that any such consent does not extend beyond a period of five years beginning on 1 January 2024 and ending on 1 January 2029, with a provision that the applicant must adequately undertake the annual inspections/survey campaign as planned, and that depending on the results of these annual inspection/survey campaigns, the survey design may need to be modified (for example, in order to adjust for any potential under-sampling), and that this should be reviewed on an annual basis. Furthermore, the EAU recommends that in relation to any consent that may be granted in respect of this VEPIL application, that the Department receives a copy of the annual inspection report in respect of each year that any consent is valid for, in the year following the carrying out of each such inspection/survey campaign. EAU also recommends, that should the survey design need to be modified, the Department be notified immediately, in writing, of any such modifications which are proposed to be made to the survey design, which will then require Departmental approval prior to the applicant’s mobilisation for the subsequent survey campaign period.
• The technical elements of the proposals are acceptable and meet the Department’s requirements. The scope of the Offshore Pipeline and Subsea Structure inspection and Near Shore Pipeline Inspection for 2024 up until January 2029 appears reasonable and uses industry standard equipment to identify the condition of the Corrib offshore pipeline and umbilical assets/system and to identify any maintenance required.

Approval was issued to Vermilion Exploration and Production Ireland Limited on 16 May 2024.

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 the Citizens Information Board, Ground Floor, George's Quay House, 43 Townsend Street, Dublin 2, or online at www.citizensinformation.ieor www.courts.ie.