Oil drilling to go ahead despite proposal

AN OIL company is planning to proceed with exploratory drilling off the coast of Dalkey and says it will adhere to any requirements resulting from the proposed designation of the region as a marine Special Area of Conservation.

Providence Resources confirmed late last week that it will go ahead with

“exploratory activities

? to drill for oil and gas in an area just six kilometres off Dalkey.

However, the company insisted that any new parameters or requirements resulting from the proposed designation would be adhered to.

Their comments came after the proposed designation by Minister for the Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan TD, of an area north of Rush and as far south as Dalkey as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

Environmentalists believe the new SAC proposal could hamper plans to drill for oil off Dalkey.

In early October, Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Jan O’Sullivan TD, granted Providence Resources a foreshore licence to carry out exploratory drilling for oil and gas in the area.

But last week Minister Deenihan proposed six new marine sites, including Rockabill to Dalkey Island, for designation as SACs to protect marine habitats and species listed on the 1992 EU Habitats Directive.

A statement from the department said the Rockabill to Dalkey Island site was being proposed with the aim of protecting coral reefs and harbour porpoises in Dublin Bay.

It is understood that the drill site identified by Providence Resources is situated within one of the proposed protection areas, which encompasses around 27,000 hectares from the marine area known as Rockabill off the coast of North County Dublin and as far south as Dalkey Island.

Stephen Vard, from Dun Laoghaire, is the spokesperson for the Dublin Bay Solidarity Group which has criticised the Government for what it claims was a lack of public consultation during the application process for the foreshore licence.

Ludicrous

Mr Vard believes the proposed conservation area designation could scupper plans for oil exploration in the area.

“We have sent letter after letter to Minister Jan O’Sullivan saying that this is a conservation area and that six kilometres off the coast of Dalkey is not where you should be drilling for oil,

? he said.

“It is just ludicrous.

“This new zoning for marine Special Areas of Conservation will ensure that all of those EU directives regarding habitats and wildlife must be obeyed.

?

Cllr Meilsa Halpin (PBP) called on Minister O’Sullivan to revoke the foreshore licence that was granted to Providence Resources.

“There has been increased vocal opposition to the plan to drill in the bay from ourselves in Save Our Seafront along with local fishermen, residents and other interested parties,

? she said.

A spokesperson for the Department of the Environment said the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht was consulted during the application process for the foreshore licence.

A spokesperson for Providence Resources said it was proceeding in 2013 with its exploratory activities off the coast of Dalkey.

“The company received formal notification of the proposed new marine SAC designation from Rockabill to Dalkey Island Reefs earlier in the week,

? the spokesperon said.

“While the company was not made aware of this designation prior to its publication, the company is pleased to confirm that should the proposed designation result in additional parameters or requirements, then these will be adhered to.

“This will be in addition to the latest NPWS guidelines in relation to marine mammals and other regulations incumbent upon the company as part of its foreshore and DCENR licencing.

“As it relates to the protection of marine mammals, the company is pleased to confirm that it operates to all the appropriate standards issued under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

?

The spokesperson added that the company had always recognised the importance of environmental care in its activities and that rigorous environmental and health and safety standards form a vital part of its ethos.

“The particular environmental characteristics of Dublin Bay and Dalkey Island were taken into consideration as part of the licensing processes,

? the spokesperson stated.

“It is worth noting that all over the world there are examples of near shore exploration and production activities. On the other side of the Irish Sea, in Liverpool Bay, there is a producing oil field, the Lennox Field, located two miles off the Liverpool coast.

“The Wytch Farm oilfield in Dorset, UK, is operated by Perenco and is located in the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. The area is also a nature reserve and a popular bird-watching area. The field straddles the coastline, both onshore and offshore. Providence itself has successfully operated three wells in the UK South Downs National Park.

?

Impact

The spokesperson pointed out that an upcoming well in the Kish Bank Basin will actually be the fifth oil and gas exploration well to be drilled in Dublin Bay since the 1970s.

“In addition, two coal boreholes were drilled in the Kish Bank Basin in 2010 with little to no impact on daily life,

? he added.

“Throughout the foreshore licensing process, which lasted over nine months, Providence met a number of other groups and individuals for positive and constructive discussions as well as interfacing with the relevant statutory authorities. We continue to encourage anyone with any concerns to come and talk to us and welcome consultation with interested parties.

?