AQW 24154/17-22 Written question to the Minister for the Economy
To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail the number and nature of petroleum licence applications currently being considered by his Department.
Asked by John Blair MLA on 12 October 2021
- Answered
- Written
- Tabled
- 12 October 2021
- Answer due by
- 27 October 2021
- Answered
- 19 October 20217 days after tabling
- Department
- Department for the Economy
- Priority question
- No
Answer
My Department is currently considering two petroleum licence applications, referenced as PLA1/16 and PLA2/16, which were received on 15 June 2016 and 20 September 2016 respectively.
PLA1/16 is a petroleum licence application from EHA Exploration Limited for an area of 1166km2 to the west, south and east of Lough Neagh. The Work Programme outlined in the application is for the exploration and development of conventional hydrocarbons.
PLA2/16 is a petroleum licence application from Tamboran Resources (UK) Limited (TRUK) for an area of 608km2 in West Fermanagh. The Work Programme outlined in the original application was for the exploration and development of unconventional hydrocarbons through the use of high volume hydraulic fracturing.
On 03 March 2020, TRUK wrote to the Department proposing a variation to the Work Programme, including the removal of high volume hydraulic fracturing. This proposed change remains under consideration by my Department.