Ireland 

We have a 36.5% interest in the Corrib gas field north-west of Ireland. The Corrib field development, operated by Shell, was sanctioned in 2001, and production start-up is currently expected to take place at the end of 2010 or early 2011.

The development will comprise seven subsea wells, and the gas will be transported through a pipeline to an onshore gas processing terminal. The gas will be exported from the terminal via the Bord Gais Eireann linkline to the existing Irish gas grid.

The Irish planning authorities granted planning permission for the gas terminal in 2004. Project execution was suspended in 2005 due to protests by local landowners. Following a comprehensive safety review of the onshore pipeline by the Irish authorities, work on the project recommenced in 2006.

As part of a community consultation process, alternative pipeline routes have been identified, and the final planning application for the onshore pipeline is expected to be made in the second half of 2009. Currently, six of the seven offshore wells have been drilled. Construction of the gas terminal commenced in 2007 and is ongoing.