Decommissioning of certain facilities within the Kinsale Head Petroleum Lease area

An application from PSE Kinsale Energy (KEL) for the decommissioning of certain facilities of the Kinsale Head gas field was received on 8 August 2019. Production from the Kinsale Head gas field commenced in 1978, with Ballycotton and Seven Heads coming into production later. The fields are now coming to the end of their productive life. The facilities are located in the Celtic Sea, between approximately 40 and 70km off the County Cork coast and onshore at Inch, County Cork.

This application covers the following activity:

• the complete removal of the offshore platform jackets (legs) in accordance with OSPAR Decision 98/3

Consent was sought for approval of an addendum to the Plan of Development for the Kinsale gas fields, in accordance with Section 13 and 13A of the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development Act 1960, as amended (POMDA) and also to alter and remove certain facilities from a designated area under Section 5(2) of the Continental Shelf Act 1968, as amended. The application was accompanied by Environmental Impact Assessment Report and an Appropriate Assessment Screening Report. These reports cover the environmental impacts of the entire decommissioning of the facilities. Further information on the application can be found on the consultation page. Further applications will be made which will encompass all remaining structures in the gas fields.

• Application Decision
• Decision Documentation