Mr Fergus O Dowd, T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, has welcomed the announcement by Providence Resources that testing of their Barryroe oil appraisal well, 48/24-10z, has been successful.

The flow rates achieved are the highest so far for any testing operations in the Wealden formation and represent the first significant flows of oil on test anywhere offshore Ireland in twelve years.

-- Advertisement --

Minister O’Dowd said: "I am particularly pleased to see such significant flow rates from the basal Wealden sandstone which is emerging as a new exploration play within this basin.

"My Department is actively promoting exploration for oil and gas both for security of energy supply and as a potentially valuable source of revenue. The results of the Barryroe well further demonstrate the hydrocarbon potential present offshore Ireland and this good news should be of considerable interest to the oil industry.

"Finally, may I wish Providence and their licence partner Lansdowne Oil & Gas plc every success with their endeavours and hope that the substantial work programme they have committed to on Barryroe will lead to a development."

(CD/GK)