CALGARY, Dec. 29, 2015 /PRNewswire/ - Vermilion Energy Inc. ("Vermilion", "the Company", "We", "Us", or "Our") (TSX, NYSE: VET) is pleased to announce that Shell E&P Ireland Limited ("Shell"), operator of the Corrib project, has received the final remaining consent required for production from the office of Ireland's Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.  The Corrib partners (Shell, Vermilion and Statoil Exploration Ireland Limited) are now focused on final preparations to initiate first gas production at Corrib.  Production levels at Corrib are expected to rise over a period of approximately six months to a peak rate estimated at 58 mmcf/d (9,700 boe/d), net to Vermilion.

"Receipt of Ministerial Consent marks the end of a lengthy and comprehensive regulatory review by a number of Irish regulatory agencies," said Lorenzo Donadeo, CEO of Vermilion. "Achievement of first gas at Corrib will mark a significant milestone for Vermilion."

Corrib production is priced in reference to the National Balancing Point (NBP) in the United Kingdom and will increase Vermilion's exposure to advantageously-priced European natural gas production.  We anticipate that European-based natural gas will represent approximately 30% of our 2016 production volumes.

Corrib is a world class natural gas field located approximately 83 km off the northwest coast of Ireland.  The field is believed to contain approximately 1 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves. 

Notes to Editors

• The Corrib project is a joint venture between Shell E&P Ireland Limited (45%), Statoil Exploration Ireland Limited (36.5%), and Vermilion Energy Ireland Limited (18.5%). Shell E&P Ireland Limited is the operator of the project.
• At peak production, the Corrib field has the potential to meet up to 60% of Ireland's gas needs.
• Six production wells are available in the Corrib field, which is located in water depths of approximately 350 m and lies approximately 3,000 m below the seabed.
• Natural gas is transported from the field through a 20-inch pipeline to the Bellanaboy Bridge Gas Terminal in northwest Mayo where it is processed before being transferred to the Gas Networks Ireland (GNI) national gas grid for distribution to Irish gas consumers.
• More than 6,000 people have worked on the development of the Corrib field

More information on the Corrib project is available online at: www.shell.ie.  Further information regarding the benefits associated with the Corrib project in Ireland is available online at:  www.shell.ie/progress