Natural gas has started to flow today from the Corrib gas field.
Located 83 kilometres off the Mayo coastline in water depths of almost 350 metres, the Corrib gas field lies approximately 3,000 metres below the seabed.
Six wells have been drilled at the Corrib field and the gas is being processed at Bellanaboy Bridge Gas Terminal in Mayo before it is transferred into the Gas Networks Ireland network.
Shell E&P Ireland Limited Managing Director, Ronan Deasy told Midwest News that it's positive news for their gas portfolio.
Over a decade behind schedule, the project was finally given Government approval yesterday evening.
The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources says the project will provide 42% of the all-island gas demand over its first two years of operation.
The offshore gas field was first discovered in 1996 and development of the project began in 2004. However, local residents protested the development on safety and environmental grounds, with the 'Rossport Five' jailed for 94 days after violating a court injunction to to interfere with the pipeline's construction.
A final route for the pipeline was approved in 2011 and construction was completed last year.
