Gas search signalled (From Western Telegraph)

Gas search signalled

OIL and gas exploration mogul Marathon Oil will launch a new search for gas in the Irish Sea this year.

But concerns have been raised over the location of an old underwater explosives dumping site.

The new well will be a short distance to the east of the original Dragon Field sunk in 1994.

But falling oil prices worldwide held back further drilling at the time.

The project has since been re-evaluated and the company says that if commercial amounts of gas are located, a pipeline could be laid to Pembrokeshire.

However, the explosives dumping ground is understood to lie between the Dragon Field and Milford Haven.

The new well will be drilled from a semi-submersible rig.

A Marathon Oil spokesman said: "We are hoping to begin drilling in the second or third quarter of this year.

"Drilling will take approximately 60 days and we are still exploring options regarding what will happen if gas is located."

Barry Skidmore, from Milford Haven Coastguard, said: " If gas is located on site, depending on the quantity, it will be conveyed by tanker. However, if a considerable amount is found then it is possible a pipeline will be laid.

"I have eight years experience as a coastguard in Aberdeen, where Marathon Oil is based, and I know that these people are experts. If there is any risk regarding an explosives dumping ground, then there will be extensive explorations of the site," he said.

Ted Sangster, Milford Haven Port Authority's general manager, said: "We have been speaking with Marathon Oil. If there is exploitable gas, then they will speak to us again in due course about bringing it ashore."