Energy companies say Mayo and Cork could get low-carbon hubs

Rig Alpha on the now depleted Kinsale Head Gas Field. Under the IOOA's proposal, the resevoir rocks in the field could be used to sequester carbon emissions from oil and gas usage in the region.

Ireland’s oil and gas exploration companies have made a submission to the Government’s climate action plan proposing low-carbon hubs for Cork and Mayo, but said that new gas discoveries will still be required to avoid the country relying on imported energy.

The Irish Offshore Operators’ Association (IOOA) is presenting two distinct but interlinked proposals which they said will support Ireland becoming carbon neutral by 2050 — The Cork Net Zero Emissions Hub, and the Corrib Critical Infrastructure Hub.