Corrib gas project

The deepwater exploration licence No. 2/93 covering four blocks in the Slyne Trough was granted on 1 January 1993 for a period of 11 years to Enterprise Oil and its partners Saga Petroleum Ireland Limited, Statoil Exploration (Ireland) Limited, and Marathon International Petroleum Hibernia Limited. The licence was issued under the licensing terms for offshore oil and gas exploration and development 1992.

{{Cite journal

|url=http://historical-debates.oireachtas.ie/D/0509/D.0509.199910200077.html

|title=Written Answers – Offshore Exploration

|publisher=Dáil Éireann

|volume=509

|date=20 October 1999

|access-date=2009-11-12

|url-status=dead

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607134943/http://historical-debates.oireachtas.ie/D/0509/D.0509.199910200077.html

|archive-date= 7 June 2011

}}

The Corrib natural gas field was discovered in 1996. It was the first reported commercial natural gas discovery in Ireland since the Kinsale Head gas field was discovered in 1971.

{{Cite web

|url= http://iooa.ie/ireland%C2%92s-offshore-potential/

|title= Ireland Offshore Potential

|publisher= Irish Offshore Operators Association

|access-date= 3 April 2014

|url-status= dead

|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140407060901/http://iooa.ie/ireland%C2%92s-offshore-potential/

|archive-date= 7 April 2014

}}

{{Cite web

|url= http://www.bordgais.ie/corporate/index.jsp?p=353&n=363

|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120119161930/http://www.bordgais.ie/corporate/index.jsp?p=353&n=363

|url-status= dead

|archive-date= 19 January 2012

|title= Irish Natural Gas Market

|access-date= 3 April 2014

}}

The first appraisal well was drilled in 1997.{{Cite web

|url = http://subseaiq.com/data/Project.aspx?project_id=327

|title = Corrib

|publisher = Bishop Interactive

|work = SubseaIQ

|access-date = 2010-08-09

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110716161451/http://subseaiq.com/(S(fb3fxnyuiy0jer550dq5o455))/data/Project.aspx?project_id=327

|archive-date = 16 July 2011

|url-status = dead

}} A number of consents and approvals to develop the Corrib Project were issued in 2001.

In 2002, Enterprise Oil was acquired by Royal Dutch Shell who took over the operatorship of the project. Development of the project began in 2004, but it was delayed in 2005 when locals opposed the project. Shell announced the suspension of the project to facilitate further discussions with opposing parties. For a year, independent safety reviews were conducted to address various safety concerns in relation to the project.

In 1999, Saga Petroleum became a part of a Norsk Hydro and in 2007 a part of Statoil. In July 2009, Vermilion Energy acquired Marathon Oil's stake in the project.{{Cite web|author=The Earthtimes |url=http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/vermilion-energy-trust-closes-agreement,910234.shtml |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120729110355/http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/vermilion-energy-trust-closes-agreement,910234.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-07-29 |title=Vermilion Energy Trust Closes Agreement to Acquire Working Interest in Corrib Field in Ireland |publisher=Earthtimes.org |access-date=2009-11-12}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=79013 |title=Irish Minister Marks Vermilion's Entry into Corrib Gas Devt |publisher=Rigzone |access-date=2009-11-12}}

Until 2018, Royal Dutch Shell was the operator of the project with a 45% ownership stake.{{Cite web

|url = http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Natural/Petroleum+Affairs+Division/Corrib+Gas+Field+Development/

|title = Corrib Gas Field Development

|publisher = Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

|access-date = 2010-08-08

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101024235316/http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Natural/Petroleum+Affairs+Division/Corrib+Gas+Field+Development/

|archive-date = 24 October 2010

|url-status = dead

}} In 2018, Shell sold its share of the project to the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board. As part of the transaction, Vermilion Energy became the project's operator and expanded its ownership share to 20%.{{Cite web |last=Falconer |first=Kirk |url=https://www.pehub.com/shell-completes-1-3-bln-sale-of-corrib-gas-field-stake-to-cppib/ |title=Shell Completes $1.3 bln sale of Corrib gas field stake to CPPIB |publisher=PE Hub |date=3 December 2018 |access-date=1 January 2019}} In 2021, Vermilion acquired Equinor's 36.5% stake for $434 million (€382 million), becoming the majority owner of the gas field.{{Cite web |url=https://www.oedigital.com/news/492431-equinor-exits-ireland-with-434m-sale-of-corrib-gas-field-stake-to-vermilion-energy |title=Equinor Exits Ireland with $434M Sale of Corrib Gas Field Stake to Vermilion Energy |publisher=Offshore Engineering |date=29 November 2021 |access-date=1 December 2021}}

File:Corrib Gas Project Map.png

Royal Dutch Shell proposed to develop the Corrib field as a sub-sea production facility with onshore processing. The project included development of offshore installations, including the wells and subsea facilities, construction of offshore and onshore pipelines, and construction of onshore processing plant at Bellanaboy.

The Corrib gas field is located about {{convert|83|km}} off Erris Head in County Mayo, in an area known as the Slyne Trough in water depths of {{convert|355|m}}.

{{Cite web

|url=http://www.hydrocarbons-technology.com/projects/shellcorribgasfield/

|title= Shell Corrib Gas Field

|publisher=Net Resources International

|work = Hydrocarbons Technology

|access-date=2010-08-09}}

Reserves in the field are believed to be about {{convert|1|Tcuft}}, 70% of the volume of the Kinsale field. The gas originates from a Triassic Sandstone reservoir {{convert|3000|m}} below the seabed. The natural gas in the Corrib Gas Field is a very pure form of gas, consisting of approximately 97% methane and ethane.{{Cite web |url=http://www.corribgaspipeline.com/index.php?page=what-s-in-the-gas |title=Gas Content |access-date=5 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401211334/http://www.corribgaspipeline.com/index.php?page=what-s-in-the-gas |archive-date=1 April 2016 |url-status=dead }} The Corrib gas does not contain hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide makes up only 0.3% of the total amount of gas.

.

{{Cite web

|url = http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/NR/rdonlyres/B9AC68AF-2FF8-4F08-A78A-7A21EB1C3DB3/0/QRAVersionF.pdf

|title = ONSHORE PIPELINE QUANTIFIED RISK ASSESSMENT

|publisher = Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

|work = Allseas Engineering BV

|access-date = 4 April 2014

|url-status = dead

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131013011945/http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/NR/rdonlyres/B9AC68AF-2FF8-4F08-A78A-7A21EB1C3DB3/0/QRAVersionF.pdf

|archive-date = 13 October 2013

}}

There are five production wells at the Corrib field, drilled by Transocean Sedco 711 semi-submersible drilling rig. Each well has a "christmas tree" structure above it that contains the control and monitoring equipment. This subsea production system was constructed by Vetco, the offshore drilling and production supplier. Flexible individual flowlines will run from each well to a production manifold which will feed the gas into the main pipeline. There is no production platform installed in the field. Production at the gas field is remotely controlled from the Bellanaboy Bridge terminal.

Corrib Gas is expected to run out in 2026 or 2027 as its production peaked before 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/business/irish/europa-says-its-prospective-gas-field-located-off-mayo-coast-could-be-as-big-as-corrib/a1396396084.html|title=Europa says its prospective gas field located off Mayo coast could be as big as Corrib|date=3 October 2023|website=Irish Independent}}

The pipeline from the Corrib field to the landfall at Glengad is approximately 90 km in length. The pipeline has a diameter of {{convert|20|in}} and it operates at pressures of {{convert|120|–|345|bar}}. Work on the offshore section took place in summer 2009 and involved over 7,000 lengths of pipe being welded together on board the Solitaire pipelaying vessel.

{{Cite news

|title= Briefing: Corrib pipeline

|first= John |last= Burns

|url= http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/ireland/article6445417.ece

|newspaper=The Times

|date=7 June 2009

|access-date=2010-08-09}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

{{Cite web

|title= Key Milestones of the Corrib gas project

|url= http://www.shell.ie/home/content/irl/aboutshell/shell_businesses/e_and_p/corrib/about/history/

|publisher= Shell E&P Ireland Ltd

|access-date= 2010-08-09

}}{{dead link|date=August 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

The onshore pipeline is {{convert|9|km}} in length and runs from landfall to the processing plant.

Gas is processed at the processing plant inland, near Bellanaboy Bridge. The purpose of the plant is to dry the gas and remove impurities. The plant has a capacity of 10 million standard cubic metres of purified gas per day. Processed gas is fed to the Bord Gáis gas grid. The piping for the onshore processing plant was manufactured by Phoenix Pipes Limited in Slane, County Meath.

{{Main|Corrib gas controversy}}

File:Gardaí, Corrib gas refinery, Erris, County Mayo.jpg guard the Bellanaboy terminal site from occupation by protesters]]

Some opponents of the scheme cited concerns about the health, safety and environmental impact of the onshore aspects of the project. Others were concerned with alleged irregularities and precedents surrounding the project. Many groups, most notably the Rossport Five and Shell to Sea campaigns, opposed the current plans for the project, which they regarded as dangerous despite assurances from Shell.{{Cite web|url=http://www.vimeo.com/8668733|title = Vimeo website, Pipe Down}} A contrary position is taken by the group Pro Gas Mayo.{{Cite web|url=http://www.mayonews.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2745&Itemid=38 |title=The Mayo News – Shell quarries vandalised |publisher=Mayonews.ie |date=13 November 2007 |access-date=2009-11-12}}

A film about the project, The Pipe, was released on 8 July 2010 at the Galway Film Festival.[http://www.thepipethefilm.com/ The Pipe] thepipethefilm.com

The upstream high pressure gas pipeline connecting the wells to the inland processing site runs through the area of Rossport, close to local residences. A report by Dr. Richard Kupriewicz concluded that "the terrain makes escape routes for the clustered population essentially impossible in the event of a [pipeline] rupture".[http://www.village.ie/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=2108 ] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071120075511/http://www.village.ie/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=2108 |date=20 November 2007 }}

Broadhaven Bay is the proposed area to discharge waste from the refining process{{Cite web|url=http://www.marinetimes.ie/Assets/_archive_2005/0105_news_06.html |title=Marine Times News |publisher=Marinetimes.ie |access-date=2008-10-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071220081251/http://www.marinetimes.ie/Assets/_archive_2005/0105_news_06.html |archive-date=20 December 2007 }}

Planning permission was initially refused by the board of An Bord Pleanála (the Irish planning authority). Senior planning inspector Kevin Moore's report stated in part:

{{blockquote |It is my submission that the proposed development of a large gas processing terminal at this rural, scenic, and unserviced area on a bogland hill some 8 kilometres inland from the Mayo coastland landfall location, with all its site development works difficulties, public safety concerns, adverse visual, ecological, and traffic impacts, and a range of other significant environmental impacts, defies any rational understanding of the term "sustainability".}}

In November 2009, An Bord Pleanála ordered Shell to redesign the pipeline and move its route away from homes saying it posed an "unacceptable risk".{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/shell-is-ordered-to-reroute-risky-corrib-gas-pipeline-1932604.html|title=Shell is ordered to re-route 'risky' Corrib gas pipeline|newspaper=Irish Independent|date=4 November 2009|access-date=2009-11-04}}

Claims of a tax yield of some €1.7 billion over the life of the field have been made by the Irish government, based on data about the field's size and 2008 gas prices.{{Cite web |url=http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Press+Releases/2009/closing+of+the+Sale+of+Marathon%E2%80%99s+Corrib+Gas+Field+Shareholding.htm |title=Closing of the Sale of Marathon's Corrib Gas Field Shareholding |publisher=Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources |date=6 August 2009 |access-date=2010-09-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720001230/http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Press+Releases/2009/closing+of+the+Sale+of+Marathon%E2%80%99s+Corrib+Gas+Field+Shareholding.htm |archive-date=20 July 2011 |url-status=dead }} Until 2007, the Irish Petroleum Licensing Terms imposed a flat 25% income tax on gas production revenues. In August 2007, the top rate of tax on the most profitable fields was increased to 40%.

{{Cite web |url=http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Press+Releases/2007/Government+announces+new+round+of+licensing+for+oil+and+gas+exploration+under+new+licensing+terms.htm |title=Government announces new round of licensing for oil and gas exploration under new licensing terms |publisher=Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources |access-date=2010-02-04 |last=Ryan |first=Eamon |work=Press Release |date=1 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720000616/http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Press+Releases/2007/Government+announces+new+round+of+licensing+for+oil+and+gas+exploration+under+new+licensing+terms.htm |archive-date=20 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}

{{Cite web |url=http://www.shell.com/home/content/ie-en/about_shell/shell_businesses/ep/corrib/security_supply/security_supply.html |title=Shell in Ireland |publisher=Shell.com |access-date=2009-11-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090905005302/http://www.shell.com/home/content/ie-en/about_shell/shell_businesses/ep/corrib/security_supply/security_supply.html |archive-date=5 September 2009 }}

The new licensing terms called for changes to the tax imposed based upon fields' profit ratios (equal to the rate of profit less 25% divided by the accumulated level of capital investment). Where this ratio is greater than 4.5, an additional 15% tax was imposed, where it is between 3.0 and 4.5 an additional 10% was imposed and where the profit ratio is between 1.5 and 3.0, and additional 5% tax was added. Less profitable fields were not affected.

The construction of the pipeline and plant was expected by Shell's economic consultants, Goodbody Economic Consultants, to create 800 temporary jobs{{Cite web |url=http://www.shell.com/home/content/ie-en/about_shell/shell_businesses/ep/corrib/about/overview/overview.html |title=Shell in Ireland |publisher=Shell.com |access-date=2009-11-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091008185619/http://www.shell.com/home/content/ie-en/about_shell/shell_businesses/ep/corrib/about/overview/overview.html |archive-date=8 October 2009 }} and boost the local Mayo economy by approximately €181 million. The plant was expected by Shell to employ approximately 55 workers when operational.{{Cite web |url=http://www.shell.com/home/content/ie-en/about_shell/shell_businesses/ep/corrib |title=Shell in Ireland |publisher=Shell.com |access-date=2009-11-12 }}{{dead link|date=August 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

During the project, over 1,100 staff were employed in construction,{{cite web |url=https://buildingirelandmagazine.com/successful-shell-corrib-project-opened-more-doors-for-mercury/ |title=Successful Shell Corrib Project opened more doors for Mercury |author= |date=August 24, 2015|website=Building Ireland Magazine |publisher=|access-date=January 15, 2025|quote=}} with over €320 million paid out in wages; the plant went on to employ 150 people.{{cite web |url=https://www.vermilionenergy.com/ie/our-responsibility/community-benefits/ |title=Community Benefits |author= |date= |website=Vermilion Energy |publisher= |access-date=January 15, 2025|quote=}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite book |last1=Slevin |first1=Amanda |title=Gas, oil and the Irish state: Understanding the dynamics and conflicts of hydrocarbon management |date=2016 |publisher=Manchester University Press |isbn=978-1-5261-0096-2 |url=https://muse.jhu.edu/book/67316 |url-access=subscription |via=Project MUSE |access-date=15 April 2020 |language=en}}

• [http://www.thepipethefilm.com/ Trailer for 'The Pipe' released 8 July 2010 – Galway Film Festival]
• [http://www.vimeo.com/8668733 'Pipe Down' film – winner – Waterford Film Festival 2010]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080914183743/http://www.corribgas.com/ Project Website]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20111015060400/http://www.corribgaspipeline.ie/ Corrib Gas Pipeline]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20090813191604/http://www.shell.com/home/content/ie-en/about_shell/shell_businesses/ep/corrib/about/dir_about_corrib.html Project Overview and History]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20061229225619/http://www.publicinquiry.ie/pdf/Fiosru_2_HI_RES_Final.pdf Centre For Public Inquiry's review of events surrounding the Corrib gas project]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20061231193519/http://www.publicinquiry.ie/pdf/Accufacts_Report_Hi_res.pdf Technical details of proposed pipeline from Accufacts Inc.]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20090331201355/http://mayogasinfo.com/ Mayo Gas Info]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20060816000506/http://www.dcmnr.gov.ie/TAG/Technical+Advisory+Group.htm Advantica's review of onshore pipeline]
• [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4739831.stm Bitter dispute over gas pipeline] – BBC news article on controversy
• [https://pureadmin.qub.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/167286190/DGBeyond.pdf Assessing the Corrib gas controversy: Beyond ‘David and Goliath’ analyses of a resource conflict, by Slevin, A. (2019). The Extractive Industries and Society, 6(2), 519-530. https://doi.org//10.1016/j.exis.2018.11.004]

{{Shell to Sea}}

{{Shell oil}}

{{Coord missing|County Mayo}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Corrib Gas Project}}

Category:Corrib gas controversy

Category:Geography of County Mayo

Category:Natural gas fields in Ireland

Category:Politics of County Mayo

Category:Shell plc oil and gas fields