Oil giant ExxonMobil has said it has no intention of pulling out of Irish waters, despite disappointing early drilling results from the highly-anticipated Dunquin prospect off the Kerry coast — in which it is a senior partner — last month.

A long-range medevac mission — thought to be one of the largest ever undertaken by the Irish Coast Guard — was dramatically stood down midway through the operation last night after the condition of the casualty improved.

ExxonMobil is gearing up to finally begin drilling off the coast at the highly-anticipated Dunquin prospect, with the rig arriving in Cork late last week for preparation.

Global energy giant Exxon Mobil is due to start a $140m (€108m) exploratory drilling programme for gas and oil off the south- west coast.