OFFSHORE NORTHWEST IRELAND DATA PUBLISHED

The Irish Department of Energy, Dublin, has published a geological and geophysical review of the Erris and Slyne troughs off northwestern Ireland. Acreage in the areas is being offered in a frontier licensing round that opened Apr. 19, 1991, and closes June 30, 1993 (OGJ, May 13, 1991, p. 40). The report is a detailed review of all geological and geophysical data available from the area, in which: The existing database is detailed. The two basins and the adjoining eastern margin of the Rockall

Oct. 7, 1991

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The Irish Department of Energy, Dublin, has published a geological and geophysical review of the Erris and Slyne troughs off northwestern Ireland.

Acreage in the areas is being offered in a frontier licensing round that opened Apr. 19, 1991, and closes June 30, 1993 (OGJ, May 13, 1991, p. 40).

The report is a detailed review of all geological and geophysical data available from the area, in which:

The existing database is detailed.
The two basins and the adjoining eastern margin of the Rockall trough are put into their regional setting.
The structural configuration of the basins is described and illustrated with nine interpreted seismic lines: four dip lines in the Erris trough and five dip lines in the Slyne trough.
The stratigraphic and structural development of the basins is described and illustrated with stratigraphic correlations through six offshore wells from the North Porcupine basin in the south to the Donegal basin in the north.
The hydrocarbon potential of the basins is assessed and the recognized play types are outlined.

The basins are underexplored. The report demonstrates that whereas current stratigraphic and structural definition over much of the area is poor, the existing data indicate significant potential for oil and gas.

Application of modern reflection seismic acquisition and processing techniques will result in good quality seismic data from the area, enabling structures present in the basins to be mapped with confidence and allowing a proper assessment of the timing of structural development and delineation of hydrocarbon kitchen areas, the department said.

A speculative reflection seismic survey with associated gravity and magnetics has been carried out this year, giving 1,885 line km of modern data. A second phase is planned for 1992.

Robert Molloy, Minister of Energy, noted that new licensing terms and a statutory petroleum taxation regime are to be introduced early in 1992.