Ending a saga worthy of a James Joyce novel, Shell has finally brought the Corrib (SEN, 32/1) Field offshore Ireland onstream, more than 15 years after project consents were first issued.

The gas development has been one of the longest running ever to complete and has involved everything from violent protests and sabotage to the jailing of some of the protesters—known as the Rossport 5—for 94 days in 2005.

The field was discovered in 1996, and a planning application was submitted to build an onshore processing terminal at Bellanaboy Bridge in 2001. But lengthy planning disputes and protests lead to significant delays with the field only now coming onstream.

Located 83 km off Ireland’s northwest coast in water depths of almost 350 m, the Corrib gas field lies about 3,000 m below the seabed.

At peak annual production, it is expected to produce about 7.28 MMcm/d of gas.

Six wells have been drilled at Corrib with gas transported to the Bellanaboy Bridge Gas Terminal in northwest Mayo through a 20-in. pipeline.

The gas is processed at Bellanaboy before it is transferred into the Gas Networks Ireland network, which delivers it to Irish gas consumers.

At peak production, Corrib has the potential to meet up to 60% of Ireland’s gas needs.

Shell E&P Ireland Ltd. Managing Director Ronan Deasy must have breathed a sigh of relief when he said, “We are pleased to have completed the development of this unique project and to bring the Corrib Field onstream. I would like to pay tribute to all those who contributed to delivering this critical energy project, which will continue to bring benefits to the region and the country for years to come.”

The Corrib project is a joint venture between Shell E&P Ireland (45%), Statoil (36.5%) and Vermilion Energy (18.5%).

The startup of Corrib has given a welcome boost to the Irish offshore sector which has seen limited exploration success overall.

The slump in the oil price is forcing companies to withdraw from the region and Kosmos last year pulled out of its Ireland licences. Fastnet Oil & Gas has switched focus to pharmaceuticals, while Petroceltic and Lansdowne Oil and Gas are carrying out strategic reviews.