From Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
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Consultation is closed
The Minister received an application from PSE Kinsale Energy for the decommissioning of certain facilities of the Kinsale Head gas fields. This application covered the removal of the Kinsale Alpha and Kinsale Bravo platform sub-structures (jackets) and all associated works.
The Minister previously consented to the plugging and abandoning of wells and the removal of the two platform topsides structures. A further application will be made in due course which will encompass all remaining structures in the gas fields, namely the pipelines and umbilicals. Details of the application are contained in the decommissioning plan below. Consent has been sought for approval of an addendum to the Plan of Development for the gas fields, in accordance with Section 13 and 13A of the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development Act 1960, as amended and also to alter and remove certain facilities from a designated area under Section 5(2) of the Continental Shelf Act 1960, as amended. The applications are 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.
This application was posted on the department's website on 12 August 2019 and the public were invited to send submissions in relation to this application to PADadmin@dccae.gov.ie
Submissions for this consultation process closed on 13 September 2019.
A decision on the application, once made, will be posted on this webpage and will be posted in a national newspaper.
Please note that the Environmental Impact Assessment Report and AA Screening Report are split into several files:
On 13 February 2020, the Minister determined that an Appropriate Assessment (AA) is not required for the Kinsale Gas Field decommissioning application.
The AA Screening Determination can be found on the decision page.
On 24 February 2020, the Minister approved The 'Kinsale Head Decommissioning Plan – Kinsale Head Petroleum Lease (OPL1) – Consent Application No. 2' an addendum proposed by KEL to the Kinsale Head Plan of Development, pursuant to the Lease granted under Section 13 of the POMDA, which covers the decommissioning of certain facilities and activities in the Kinsale Head, and Ballycotton gas fields; and, that KEL may alter and remove facilities from the area designated pursuant to Section 2 of S.I. No. 92/1993 - Continental Shelf (Designated Areas) Order, 1993, pursuant to Section 5(2) of the Continental Shelf Act 1968, as amended.
The Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development and Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment has now made determinations on the application, details of which are set out below. Please note that the validity of the decisions 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.ie or www.courts.ie.
PSE AA Screening for Kinsale Area Decommissioning Project
EIAR Volume 2 Part 1 PSE Kinsale Main Text Section 1-3
EIAR Volume 2 Part 2 PSE Kinsale Main Text Section 4-5