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 14th 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 21st December 2018 and any submission received by close of business on 21st January 2019 will be considered by the Minister.
• Application for Consent for exploratory drilling - Frontier Exploration License (FEL) 3-18 Letter
• Environmental Risk Assessment (EIA Screening) Report
• Appropriate Assessment Screening Report (AA)
• Pre-drill Fisheries Report for the well.
• Underwater Archaeological Assessment
Update 12 February 2019
Having regard to, inter alia, the requirements of the EIA Directives and the observations received further to consultations on the screening process, the Department considers that further information is required from the applicant so that an EIA screening assessment can 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 has requested that the applicant provide further information to enable a screening determination be made.
The additional information received will be published on the Department website and further submissions invited to be made on the additional material. Any submissions will be taken into account in any final EIA Screening Determination made in respect of this application.
Update 22 February 2019
On 21 February 2019 the applicant, as requested by the Department, provided additional information to the Department.
This additional information has been published on the Department's website on 22nd February 2019.
An additional consultation period is being provided. The public are invited to make submissions in relation to the additional information, which submissions can be sent to PADadmin@dccae.gov.ie.
Any submission received by close of business on 8th March 2019 will be considered by the Minister.
Update 27 March 2019
An AA Screening Determination has concluded that an Appropriate Assessment is required. The AA Screening Determination can be located on the attached documents;
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 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.
Update 9 April 2019
As requested by the Department, the applicant has provided additional information to the Department.
This additional information has been published on the Department's website on 9 April 2019.
An additional consultation period is being provided. The public are invited to make submissions in relation to the additional information, which submissions can be sent to PADadmin@dccae.gov.ie.
Any submission received by close of business on 29 April 2019 will be considered by the Minister.
Update 12 April 2019
An EIA Screening Determination has concluded that an Environmental Impact Assessment is not required. The EIA Screening Determination is located at the attached documents:-
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.
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 Judicial Review can be obtained from the Citizens Information Board, Ground Floor, George's Quay House, 43 Townsend Street, Dublin 2 (www.citizensinformation.ie) or from the Courts Website (www.courts.ie).
Environment Advisory Unit
Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment
Custom House
Dublin
D01 W6X0
