asked the Minister for Industry and Energy the number of exploration wells for oil and gas drilled off the coast in 1981 to date; and the results, if available, in each case.

Seven wells have been completed this year to date. Work on an eighth well has just started; the results of this last well will not be known for some time.

In the case of six of the seven completed wells there were no significant hydrocarbons discovered. The results of the drilling in the seventh well will be announced shortly by the exploration group concerned.

Approximately when will the announcement be made?

It will be fairly soon. I imagine it will be within the next ten days.

13.

asked the Minister for Industry and Energy the number of exploration wells for oil and gas drilled on land in 1981 to date in this country; the results in each case; if commercial quantities of gas have been encountered on the borders of Counties Fermanagh, Cavan and Leitrim as reported in the media; and, if so, the quantities involved.

No exploration wells for oil and gas were drilled on land in this country in 1981. However, during late 1980 and early 1981, the Dowra No. 1 well in County Cavan, drilled in 1962 - 1963 by the Ambassador Irish Oil Company, was re-entered and retested using new stimulation techniques in an attempt to increase the flow rate. The results are being analysed at present.

It has not been established whether gas exists in commercial quantities in the areas in question. Much additional work will be required before the potential of the area can be precisely determined.