THE  current fuel crisis has highlighted the need to harness the Barryroe Oil Field off the West Cork coast.

Three years ago Minister Eamon Ryan refused Barryroe Offshore Energy’s application to continue oil and gas drilling operations off the West Cork coast, because he was not satisfied as to the financial capability of the company.

Councillors have since been urging the Government to review and assess the application for the licence to develop Barryroe which contains around 350m barrels of oil and 207bn cubic metres of gas.

Speaking to The Southern Star, Cllr Alan Coleman (Ind) pointed out that at best estimates the transition from fossil fuels to renewables will take another 30 to 40 years.

‘If the last month has taught us anything it’s that we shouldn’t allow ourselves be at the end of the energy supply chain that starts at the Strait of Hormuz,’ he said.

‘We must be pragmatic, energy security during this transition to renewables demands that we harness the Barryroe Oil Field now to secure supplies for the next 30 years.’

He pointed out that Barryroe Offshore Energy, who have a licence, have carried out their research and trials and all they need is a final sign off from the Government,

‘They have spent millions on this development and most importantly they have found huge amounts of oil which could see us through this transition to renewables.’

Meanwhile, another independent councillor has stated that the restoration of Whiddy Island’s oil depot to full capacity as well as developing a fuel refinery there could significantly strengthen Ireland’s energy security and economic resilience.

Cllr Finbarr Harrington (Ind) said this is all the more relevant given the fuel protests last week.

The country’s largest oil storage terminal is based at Whiddy Island and the facility provides over 1.4m cubic metres of storage of crude oil, gasoline, diesel and kerosene.

‘It makes no sense whatsoever to transport crude oil from the Middle East or wherever and store it in Widdy, then load it up and transport it to Bilbao in Spain for refining, only to reship it as fuel back to here,’ said Cllr Harrington.

‘The logic here should be to ship it to the Whiddy Oil depot, refine on site and then ship it to Foynes, Galway and all ports around the country.’

The Beara councillor said that each time it’s transported ‘half way round the world’ it adds unnecessary costs, logistical complexity and increased emissions from double handling.

‘A fully operational facility would increase domestic fuel storage, reducing dependence on imports and enhancing this country’s ability to manage supply disruptions or price volatility.’

Cllr Harrington added that a development of a refinery would further add value by enabling local processing of crude oil, support job creations and stimulate regional economic growth in West Cork.

‘Additionally modern infrastructure could be designed with improved safety and environmental standards, potentially incorporating cleaner technologies and transition fuels, which will help Ireland’s balance energy independence with its climate commitments but most importantly bring down the price of fuel.