Oil and gas drilling application clears hurdle

An application to drill an exploratory oil and gas well off the coast of Kerry by the Chinese National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC Petroleum Europe) and Exxon Mobil has passed its latest and final environmental assessment.

The Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment (DCCAE) is still considering the application. However, the clearing of the Appropriate Assessment stage means the department is likely to grant consent to drill in the coming weeks.

The ...