An off-shore oil and gas exploration project worth about €17 million is due to begin work this weekend 32 nautical miles north-west of Mayo.
Statoil said in a statement today that its drilling rig was expected to arrive this weekend and work would begin once it was in position at the Cong Prospect on the Slyne Basin. The exploration is expected to last for more than two months.
Statoil Exploration Ireland is involved in a consortium developing the site. The company has a 40 per cent share in the project along with Enterprise Energy Ireland which holds 45 per cent with Murphy Ireland Offshore holding the remaining 15 per cent.
Killybegs, in Co Donegal, is expected to benefit to the tune of about 2 million in the provision of back-up services for the Statoil rig and its 90-strong crew.
Mr John Conroy, general manager, Statoil Exploration said: "We are delighted to have reached this point in our operations and are hopeful for a successful outcome to our drilling campaign this year."