Shell gears up for Corrib first gas after final hurdle skipped

Shell, operator of the Corrib gas project, dubbed Ireland’s largest ever energy investments, has received the final remaining consent required for production from the office of Ireland’s Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.

The Corrib partners Shell, Vermilion and Statoil will now focus on final preparations to initiate first gas production at Corrib. Production levels at Corrib are expected to rise over a period of approximately six months to a peak rate estimated at 58 mmcf/d (9,700 boe/d), net to Vermilion.

“Receipt of Ministerial Consent marks the end of a lengthy and comprehensive regulatory review by a number of Irish regulatory agencies,” said Lorenzo Donadeo, CEO of Vermilion. “Achievement of first gas at Corrib will mark a significant milestone for Vermilion.”

Corrib is a natural gas field located approximately 83 km off the northwest coast of Ireland. The field is believed to contain approximately 1 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves. At peak production, the Corrib field has the potential to meet up to 60% of Ireland’s gas needs.
Natural gas will be transported from the field through a 20-inch pipeline to the Bellanaboy Bridge Gas Terminal in northwest Mayo where it is processed before being transferred to the Gas Networks Ireland (GNI) national gas grid for distribution to Irish gas consumers.