asked the Minister for Energy if he will make a statement on the information available to the Government on the reported discovery of oil in Block 50/6 in the Celtic Sea; if he can say when it is expected that oil is likely to be piped ashore from this block; if he will confirm that the oil will be brought ashore in this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

18.

asked the Minister for Energy if he will make an up-to-date statement on the results of the tests on exploration Block 50/6.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 and 18 together.

Gulf Oil (Ireland) Limited is operator for the consortium involved in licence 5/82 under which well 50/6-1 was drilled. As Deputies are aware it is the practice that statements regarding the results of wells are in all cases issued by the operator. In regard to well 50/6-1 which has now been completed, the operator has today issued a formal statement on its results which indicate that, on test, the well produced a flow rate of 2,074 barrels of 44.8 degrees API gravity oil per day with, 1,284 thousand standard cubic feet per day of gas.

In view of the strictly confidential nature of the specific well data, I do not propose to depart from normal practice by adding to that announcement but I can let the Deputies have copies of the operator's statement if they wish.

The question of bringing the oil ashore, either in this country or elsewhere, does not arise at the present time. Obviously, all parties concerned will have to study the results of the well in detail before they can reach any conclusions about the discovery.

Could the Minister say if the flow rate given is on a half inch or one inch choke?

I am inclined to think it is a half inch, but I can confirm that.

Deputy Reynolds.

If it is on a one inch choke that would be three times that amount — 6,000. Would that be correct?

I do not have that information but I can get it for the Deputy.

We have a consultancy, Deputy.

On an inch choke it would be at least twice, if not three times. Does the Minister consider this a satisfactory result in view of the high expectations for that well in the initial stages of drilling? Could he tell me from the information available — which I do not think will affect any outside interests — if the drilling continued to find the level of the water table which was a problem created in a step out well from a previous oil find?

The results to date are satisfactory in terms of the overall development of offshore oil. They are positive and satisfactory in the overall context but it is too early to speculate on the long term development prospects of that field. We will have to await further evaluation and the study at present being carried out by the operator and my Department. It would not be in the interest of anybody to speculate and we will have to await the results of further tests.

The Minister did not answer the question which I asked. Did the drilling continue to find the level of the water table in that well? It is highly relevant because of the problems found in a step out well on a previous occasion.

I do not have any further information in relation to specific details of what has been found to date. As I said earlier, I do not think it would be advisable to go into details until further studies have been completed.

I am not interested in details, I just want to know if they found water in the well because it has a vital bearing on the potential of that and other wells in the area.

I am not at liberty to disclose that information.

Have the tests shown any water?

I have given as much information as I am at liberty to give at this stage in relation to the testing. The Deputy should understand that it would not be advisable to give any more information at this stage.

I am not interested in looking for information which should not be forthcoming. However, in previous tests details were given in relation to water content in the oil or finding the water table in a particular well. This information was relevant because a previous well in the area had to be spudded. That information should be public knowledge because it will not make any difference to anyone.

With all due respects, it would make a difference at this stage.

People will be buying stocks and shares in these wells and, while that information may make no difference to the Minister or the company concerned, it could make a vital material difference to people who might be considering investing——

If they study my statement and that of the operator they will not be misled by anyone.

Does the Minister agree that the finding of oil is relevant to investors?

I am not in a position to disclose that information.

This is argument.

The Minister's answers are most unsatisfactory and do not give the information which I am sure was given to him in the report——

That is a lecture.

I asked a simple question as to whether the floor rate given by the Minister was half inch or one inch choke which makes an enormous difference. I am quite sure that information is available and will be given to the press this afternoon.

The information is not in my file, I have said that I will get it for the Deputy.

It is extraordinary that when the Minister got this statement he did not ask the questions which Deputy Reynolds asked——

This is another lecture.

This is a very important matter.

Question Time cannot be conducted by lectures.

I am asking questions.

Well, it sounds like a lecture.

The Minister is not giving answers to questions which he is supposed to do although they are probably available to everybody outside——

If they are, perhaps the Deputy should go outside and get them.

I probably will get them in an hour's time but the Minister should make the information available here.

The Deputy will not shout me down.

I am merely making the point that——

I am calling the next question.