IRISH FRONTIER TRACTS OFFERED

Ireland will conduct its first frontier licensing round in Erris and Slyne troughs in the deep Atlantic Ocean off its northwest coast. Very little seismic surveying or drilling has taken place in the area. To give companies time to acquire data, the Irish Department of Energy has set a closing date for applications of June 30, 1993. All the open acreage in the troughs, 128 blocks, will be offered. They lie in 650-3,280 ft of water and average about 45 miles offshore.

April 29, 1991

Ireland will conduct its first frontier licensing round in Erris and Slyne troughs in the deep Atlantic Ocean off its northwest coast.

Very little seismic surveying or drilling has taken place in the area. To give companies time to acquire data, the Irish Department of Energy has set a closing date for applications of June 30, 1993.

All the open acreage in the troughs, 128 blocks, will be offered.

They lie in 650-3,280 ft of water and average about 45 miles offshore.

Irish Energy Minister Robert Molloy said license terms will be reviewed to take account of the special circumstances of frontier acreage.

Only two wells have been drilled in the area. A geological and geophysical review of the area, based on all available data, will be released by the Irish Department of Energy in mid-June.

Molloy said the 1993 deadline will give industry two seasons to acquire up to date seismic data over the whole area of the round.