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Application for consent for exploratory drilling from CNOOC Petroleum Europe Limited (formerly known as Nexen Petroleum U.K. Limited)
An application for consent for exploratory drilling was received by the Petroleum Affairs Division of the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment from CNOOC Petroleum Europe Limited (formerly known as Nexen Petroleum U.K. Limited), within Frontier Exploration Licence FEL3/18, on 14 November 2018. The public are invited to make submissions in relation to this application. Submissions can be sent to PADadmin@dccae.gov.ie
This application was posted on the department's website on 21 December 2018 and any submission received by close of business on 21 January 2019 were considered by the Minister.
Application for Consent for exploratory drilling - Frontier Exploration License (FEL) 3-18 Letter
Environmental Risk Assessment (EIA Screening) Report Part 1
Environmental Risk Assessment (EIA Screening) Report Part 2
Having regard to, inter alia, the requirements of the EIA Directives and the observations received further to consultations on the screening process, the department considered that further information was required from the applicant so that an EIA screening assessment could be carried out.
Article 4(6) of EU Directive 2014/52/EU requires that a competent authority make a screening determination "as soon as possible and within a period of time not exceeding 90 days from the date on which the developer has submitted all the information required pursuant to paragraph 4".
The department requested that the applicant provide further information to enable a screening determination be made.
The additional information received has been published on the department website and further submissions were invited to be made on the additional material. Any submissions were taken into account in any final EIA Screening Determination made in respect of this application.
On 21 February 2019 the applicant, as requested by the department, provided additional information to the department. This additional information was published on the department's website on 22 February 2019. An additional consultation period was provided. The public were invited to make submissions in relation to the additional information until 8 March 2019, which submissions could be sent to PADadmin@dccae.gov.ie
An AA Screening Determination concluded that an Appropriate Assessment was required.
The AA Screening Determination can be located on the attached documents:
External Review of the CNOOC Petroleum Europe Ltd AA Screening Report by independent advisors Ramboll
As requested by the department, the applicant provided additional information to the department.
This additional information was published on the department's website on 9 April 2019.
An additional consultation period was provided until 29 April 2019. The public were invited to make submissions in relation to the additional information, which submissions could be sent to PADadmin@dccae.gov.ie
An EIA Screening Determination concluded that an Environmental Impact Assessment was not required. The EIA Screening Determination is located at the attached documents:
Appendix 1 - External Review of the CNOOC Petroleum Europe Limited EIA Screening Report by Ramboll Environment and Health UK Limited
For any queries in relation to this matter please contact the Environment Advisory Unit of the department at 01 678 2000 or at the address below.
Environment Advisory Unit, Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Custom House, Dublin, D01 W6X.
On 17 May 2019, a Determination was made, under the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 477 of 2011), as amended, that the application by CNOOC Petroleum Europe Limited to drill a single exploration well in the lolar prospect under Frontier Exploration Licence (FEL) 3/18 in the Porcupine Basin offshore of the south west of Ireland would not adversely affect the integrity of a European site (whether individually or in combination with other plans or projects).
The full Determination, and the relevant documents below:
The Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment has made a decision on the application from CNOOC Petroleum Europe Limited to undertake drilling activities on proposed well 52/4-A Iolar Prospect, FEL 3/18. Full details are available on our Decision page below.
Please note that the validity of this decision 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 Citizens Information at your local Citizens Information Centre, by phone on 0761 07 4000 or online at citizensinformation.ie.