Oil major Shell has been given final approval by the Irish Government to operate the Corrib gas pipeline and terminal, according to reports.
The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Alex White, said he had given consent to the pipeline subject to 20 conditions related to environmental management, operation, control and monitoring.
The move could see first gas brought onshore before the year ends.
The operator had applied for ministerial consent to operate the pipeline and the onshore terminal last August.
The consent from the department was the final approval needed to bring gas from the Corrib field.
In October, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) had granted a revised industrial emissions licence for the facility.
A spokesman for Shell E&P Ireland said the company was pleased with the decision.
Corrib is a natural gas field located approximately 83km off the northwest coast of Ireland.
The field is believed to contain approximately 1 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves.
Recommended for you
