Ireland Needs Right Policies to Avoid Import Reliance: IOOA

The decommissioning of the Kinsale Head gas fields highlights the need for Ireland's government to put in place the right policies to encourage oil and gas development, in order to safeguard the country's energy security, the Irish Offshore Operators' Association (IOOA) said in a statement on March 4.

"Since the 1970s the Kinsale Head fields have powered Irish economic success. When they came on stream they transformed the energy landscape, cutting our dependence on higher emissions fuels as well as unreliable and costly imports, IOOA CEO Mandy Johnston commented. "Today we again face an energy challenge. The important and crucial role of gas during the future decades of transition to renewable energy has been recognised by government. However with Kinsale now ending and the Corrib field past its peak we are in danger of becoming completely reliant on imported gas to provide energy during the transition."

Johnston noted that using imports of gas from the likes of Russia and Qatar results in 30% higher emissions because of the transport distance. 

"What is needed now is a government with policies which include clear regulations and guidelines so energy companies can repeat the success of Kinsale and Corrib, a commitment to encourage and develop new technologies such as carbon capture and storage and the development of intensive energy conservation measures," she continued. "Each of these will ensure Ireland can answer the climate challenge without jeopardising the economy, investment and jobs."

Irish authorities have just approved Kinsale Head project's decommissioning, which will involve the removal of two offshore rigs and the plugging of wells over the course of several years.

Ireland has been mulling an LNG import terminal for some years: a US investor New Fortress has considered building a facility but it is unlikely to result in cheaper prices than imports from the UK.