The operator of the Corrib gas field has plans to continue extracting fuel off the west coast for a decade longer than expected, independent.ie can reveal.
ermilion Energy privately briefed Taoiseach Michel Martin on their proposals during a meeting at Government Buildings last month.
They are planning a €20m investment in new technology which will allow them to go deeper in search of more natural gas. Current expectations are that the field will be of limited use by 2026 or 2027, leaving Irish households and businesses almost fully reliant on the UK for gas supplies.
However, Vermilion told Mr Martin they believe the life expectancy of the site could be extended to 2038.
Officials from the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications were made aware of the proposals earlier this year.
The Corrib gas field is currently the only domestic source of natural gas.
The gas is produced through a subsea facility off the Mayo coast and brought ashore through an 83km pipeline to Bellanaboy Bridge gas plant.
It is understood Vermilion has already supplied a ‘Design Notification’ to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities to kickstart the process of building a new cooling system at the existing plant site.
They hope to submit a request for planning permission to Mayo County Council late this year. A source familiar with the plans told the independent.ie a new cooling system would allow them extract gas at depths that are currently beyond reach.