Ireland-Scotland Platform

Commentary

Activity on the platform is limited to the Corrib gas field and a few legacy licences. The 2021 ban on new exploration licences prevents new entry, and the UK side faces the end of new licensing and the Energy Profits Levy. Outlook: Negative.

Updated

October 12, 2026

Location

Description

Ireland is almost completely surrounded by Upper Palaeozoic to Cenozoic sedimentary basins which collectively form the ISPB. Upper Palaeozoic (Carboniferous) basins occur onshore but only have gas potential in the northwest of the country. Basins lying offshore northeast and east of Ireland are typically Upper Palaeozoic to lower Mesozoic half-grabens containing 3 – 5km of pre-Middle Jurassic sediments. Source rocks occur in Upper Carboniferous coals and shales and, where encountered in the Kish Bank Basin, are mature for gas generation.

Summary

A 2021 ban on new oil and gas exploration licences (Climate Action Act) honours only existing authorisations, so activity is limited to the Corrib gas field and a few legacy licences. On the UK side, the move to ban new exploration licences further limits new activity, although 2026 fuel-price protests have renewed calls to reverse the 2021 ban.