Fresh blow to exploration industry as drilling off Kerry coast draws a blank

The China National Offshore Oil Company (CNOOC) and ExxonMobil have both been unable to produce oil or gas off the coast of Co Kerry.

In a blow to the Irish industry, the licence operator, CNOOC Petroleum Europe, confirmed to The Sunday Business Post that the drilling which started at the beginning of the summer had produced a dry well.

“CNOOC Petroleum Europe . . . can confirm that it has safely drilled and ...