There is plenty of hype around Ireland’s oil exploration sector, but there have also been numerous disappointments. With the Barryroe bonanza this week, could the country be set for a new boom, asks Kyran Fitzgerald

The cost of developing the Corrib Gas project is now expected to top €3.2 billion, with the final phase of the project expected to sustain more than 700 jobs.

I SEE that Clare County Council, in response to a vocal minority of protestors, has decided to amend its county plan to ban the practise of “fracking” within its jurisdiction.

IRELAND has upped its efforts to discover offshore oil by yesterday awarding 13 new licensing options.

IRELAND will need to discover a second Corrib gas field or build a new interconnector to Britain to avoid a possible loss of gas supplies, a report has warned.

PROVIDENCE Resources is planning to start drilling at its much anticipated Spanish Point prospect in 2012, following seismic studies suggesting the licence is likely to become a commercial development.

THERE is an estimated 10 billion barrels of gas and oil buried under Irish waters, very little of it has been found and few are prepared to look for it.

WAYNE GRETZKY, I’m sure, could well swing a hurley if you pressed one into his hand. But I don’t know if ice hockey’s Ringy has any interest in Gaelic Games.

IRELAND’S electricity supply would be endangered if there was any kind of energy shock as we can only store 11 days of gas in this country compared with an EU average of 52 days.

A new report has warned that Ireland has just 11 days worth of natural gas reserves.

ELECTRICAL employers have warned ongoing strike action by electricians could lead to an influx of rogue operators into the industry paying a fraction of the agreed rates.

Chambers Ireland has said that the opening up of the Corrib Gas field is crucial for Ireland's energy supplies.

With a global crisis looming, what are we doing to ease our addiction to fossil fuels and imported energy? Not much. Claire O’Sullivan reports.

The Corrib Gas Partners recommenced drilling activities in the Corrib Gas field, 83km off the west coast of Ireland, last week.

THE average annual gas bill will rise by almost €380 after Bord Gais yesterday applied for a 40% hike in prices from October.

THE controversial Corrib gas field off Co Mayo must be developed to supply Ireland’s future energy needs, the Progressive Democrats said yesterday.

Ireland is the most vulnerable country in Europe to an energy supply crisis, it was claimed today.

The so-called Rossport Five, jailed for their contempt of a court order over protests against a controversial gas pipeline, will learn today whether they face further penalties.

A two-day public hearing will be held in Mayo for local residents and communities to voice their views on the controversial onshore pipeline and refinery planned for the Corrib Gas Field, the Government announced today.

Supporters of the so-called Rossport Five, who were jailed 11 weeks ago over their protests against a controversial gas pipeline, are today calling for public support for a national rally demanding their release.

A new tax should be imposed on households using fossil fuels in a bid to enhance energy efficiency, experts claimed today.

The wife of a Mayo man jailed for protesting against a controversial gas pipeline today failed to secure the County Council’s support for their campaign.

The Minster for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources Noel Dempsey has ordered oil giant Shell to dismantle a three-kilometre gas pipeline in the west of Ireland which had been constructed without permission.

A total of 56 jobs are to be axed at the site of a controversial gas pipeline on the Mayo coast, it was confirmed today.

Evelyn Ring

Dozens of supporters gathered outside Dublin’s High Court today as five Co Mayo men were returned to jail over their protest against a controversial gas pipeline.

A nationwide protest is to take place today to highlight the plight of the five men jailed over their objections to a gas pipeline in Co Mayo.

IT is a background many young men would play down in their sophisticated city lives, but the sons of Rossport, North Mayo, wear their heritage with pride.

GAS prices are set to rise for domestic consumers in October, possibly by 10%, it emerged yesterday.

The €200m Corrib Gas Field project was tonight approved by An Bord Pleanala.

Oil company Shell Ireland has applied for planning permission to develop a terminal to support the Corrib Gas Field off the west coast of Ireland.

THE Government can no longer be expected to live up to any of its election promises, the leader of the Green Party has claimed.

GAS production from the Corrib field will be delayed for around the year following the decision by project leaders Enterprise Energy to postpone the laying of the offshore pipeline because of planning issues.

The development of the Corrib gas field in Co Mayo has been given the green light.

A Spanish fisherman in his mid 40s, who sustained serious head injuries in an accident on board a trawler, has been airlifted to Shannon Airport.

The Corrib gas field, some 70km off the Mayo coast, has been formally approved by Enterprise Energy and its partners Statoil and Marathon Petroleum.