Natural gas has started to flow from Ireland’s Corrib gas field, marking an important milestone for the country.

 

Located 83 km off Ireland’s northwest coast in water depths of almost 350 m, the Corrib gas field lies approximately 3,000 m below the seabed. At peak annual production, the Corrib gas field is expected to produce around 260 MMscgd of gas, which is 45,000 boe.

 

“Today’s announcement is a positive step for our gas portfolio,” said Andy Brown, Shell’s Upstream International Director. “It is also good news for Ireland as the provision of Corrib gas improves security of supply for the Irish energy market. Delivering gas from Corrib will bring many long term benefits to the Irish economy and consumers.”

 

The Corrib field has been developed as a subsea-to-shore tieback solution. Six wells have been drilled at Corrib field with gas transported to the Bellanaboy Bridge Gas Terminal in northwest Mayo through a 20 in. pipeline. The gas is processed at Bellanaboy before it is transferred into the Gas Networks Ireland (GNI) network, which delivers it to Irish gas consumers.

 

The Corrib project is a joint venture between Shell E&P Ireland Limited (45%), Statoil Exploration Ireland Limited (36.5%) and Vermilion Energy Ireland Limited (18.5%). Shell E&P Ireland Limited is the project’s operator.