#MarineNotice - Marine Notice No 11 of 2013 from the DTTAS advises all seafarers that a deepwater exploration well will be drilled off the south-west coast of Ireland from the end of March 2013.

ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Ireland (Offshore) Limited is scheduled to drill the deepwater exploration well in Frontier Exploration Licence 3/04 ('Dunquin'). The proposed location is Latitude 51°19'54"N, Longitude 012°27'30"W (Geodetic datum: WGS84).

The rig will be on location from approximately late March 2013, and the drilling operations will last between 90 and 120 days.

The operation will be undertaken by Ocean Rig's semi-submersible drilling rig Eirik Raude (Call sign: C6QE7) and will be supported by supply vessels operating out of the Port of Cork. A 500-metre exclusion zone around the rig must be observed at all times. The work vessels will be listening on VHF Channel 16 throughout the project.

All other vessels, particularly those engaged in fishing, are requested to give the Eirik Raude a wide berth and keep a sharp lookout in the relevant area.