Oil terminals in Ireland

Oil terminals are a key component of the energy supply industry in Ireland which is extensively based on the import, production and distribution of refined petroleum products. Some crude oil is imported for processing at Ireland's only oil refinery. Because Ireland has limited fossil fuel resources, these oil terminals balance the energy supply of the country. "Oil: A History of Energy in Ireland". Ireland 2050. University College Dublin (UCD). 2021. Retrieved 2026-02-16.

Major oil terminals in Ireland are found at Bantry Bay, Dublin Port and Shannon Estuary. These terminals developed rapidly in the late 20th century. Fitzgerald, J. (1987). The Determinants of Irish Imports: The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).

Background Oil terminals are key facilities for the import, export, storage, blending, transfer and distribution of oil and petroleum products. Terminals are located at coastal sites to facilitate the offloading and loading of coastal shipping. Most terminals have road tanker loading equipment for local distribution of products to industrial, commercial and domestic users. The products handled include petrol, diesel, jet kerosene, fuel oil and heating oil.

History

1960s - Early Development In the 1960s, many oil companies, like Gulf Oil, recognized Ireland as an important focal point location for transshipment because of how it is positioned with the Atlantic."Oil: A History of Energy in Ireland". Ireland 2050. University College Dublin (UCD). 2021. Retrieved 2026-02-16.

1970s - Expansion Ireland began to quickly expand oil storage in the 1970 because of the high demand caused across the globe for energy products. This was caused by a lot of uncertainty with energy supplies.

Also, this time period showed the importance of having enough storage and distribution capacity to maintain its contributions with the international market. Fitzgerald, J. (1987). The Determinants of Irish Imports: The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).

1980’s - Investments Companies invested millions in order to upgrade Irish oil terminals. In 1984, the American energy company Chevron made a major investment of $60 million in order to restore a terminal that was damaged by a past accident.Chevron Will Spend $60 Million to Rebuild Damaged Oil Terminal. (1984). Wall Street Journal (1923-), 12.

List of oil terminals in Ireland The table summarizes details of the location and operation of the oil terminals in Ireland. +Oil terminals in IrelandTerminalLocationOperatorFacilities and operationsReferencesBantry BayReenrour, Bantry, County CorkZenith EnergyTotal capacity 1,400,000 m3, 19 tanks, size 241 to 97,675 m3, Single point mooring buoy. Gasoline, Diesel, jet fuel. Land area 1,397,843 m2Dublin AirportDublin Airport, Swords, County DublinCircle KStorage 15,000 m3, 3 tanks, hydrant system for fuellingDublin PortDublin Port, Dublin, County DublinValero / ApplegreenMarine terminal, common jetty. 18 storage tanks: 4 gasoline, 2 ethanol, 5 Jet A1, 6 Diesel. Terminal built by Esso 1950Dublin PortDublin Port, Dublin, County DublinIrving OilVessels to 55,000 Dead Weight Tonnes (DWT)FoynesFoynes, County LimerickAtlantic Fuel Supply CompanyTotal storage capacity 84,000 m3, 18 tanks, 2 jetties, vessels up to 35,000 DWT. Diesel, ethanol, FAME (biodiesel), fuel oil, gas oil, jet fuel, gasoline, petrolGalwayGalway Harbour Enterprise Park, Galway, County GalwayCircle KTotal capacity 50,995 m3, 25 tanks. Petroleum products, bitumen. Vessels 4,000 to 6,000 DWT. Built 2009.Shannon Foynes PortFoynes, County LimerickExolumTotal storage 14,235 m3, 13 tanks, 750 m3 to 3,500 m3. Oil products and ethanol. Maximum 10,000 DWTTarbert Power StationTarbert, County KerrySSEFour Heavy fuel oil tanks leased by NORAWhitegate refineryWhitegate, East Cork, County CorkIrving OilTank farm associated with Whitegate oil refinery

Major Terminal Locations

Bantry Bay (Whiddy Island) Bantry Bay holds one of Ireland' s deep-water facilities which allows for the use of bigger oil tankers. The Bantry Bay terminal has always played a role in the storage of oil and transshipment. It is located in County Cork.

Dublin Port Along the North Wall of Dublin, there are many oil storage facilities that were developed in the 20th Century. These many facilities are important for the distribution of petroleum products in the capital of Dublin. Port of Dublin. (1976). Dublin Port Official Handbook.

Shannon Foynes The terminals located along the Shannon Estuary have contributed extensively to the resilience of the country’s energy supply, especially during periods of economic uncertainty.

Strategic oil reserves Under the National Oil Reserves Agency Act 2007 the National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA) is responsible for ensuring that Ireland retains a minimum of 90 days stock of oil and petroleum products in the event that supplies are disrupted. The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment (DECC) specifies annually the volumes of oil stocks to be held by NORA. The current minimum (2021) level of stock is:

1,416,340 tonnes of refined product, (Petrol, Diesel, Gas Oil, Kerosene, and Jet Fuel) 70,000 tonnes of Crude Oil.

The National Oil Reserves Agency holds about 72% of its oil stocks in Ireland, and the balance abroad. In Ireland stocks are held in some of the above oil storage facilities including Dublin, Cork (Whitegate Refinery), Whiddy Island (Bantry Bay), Foynes, Shannon, Tarbert (power station), and Galway. Stocks are also held at Derry and Kilroot in Northern Ireland.

Oil imports The total import of oil and oil products into Ireland over the period 1990 to 2019 is shown by the graph. The quantity is in thousand tonnes of oil equivalent.

Past Incidents and Safety/Regulation In 1974, an oil spill occurred in Bantry Bay, which resulted in environmental damages around the coastline. 2,500 tons of oil were released. This led to many questions being raised regarding the safety and operation of oil terminals.O’Sullivan, A. J. (1975). Massive oil spillage in Bantry Bay. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 6(1), 3–4. https://doi.org/10.1016/0025-326X(75)90077-6

The Whiddy Island disaster was an explosion that occurred with the oil tanker Betelgeuse that happened while unloading at an oil terminal. This accident led to 50 lives being lost and significant damage in the surrounding region. A tribunal Inquiry by Justice Costello analyzed the incident a year after the incident and discussed the implications for the industrial safety of Ireland. Costello, Justice (1980). Report of the Tribunal of Inquiry into the Disaster at Whiddy Island

Oil terminals in Ireland then began to follow a framework of national and European regulations. The control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) apply to sites that store and process hazardous substances. Their regulations come from the European Union’s Seveso III Directive. Health and Safety Authority (HSA). (2024). Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) Technical Land Use Planning Advice. Under COMAH, oil terminals are required to have safety management systems and conduct risk assessments. Facilities that are classified as “Upper-Tier” under COMAH’s basis have to follow even stricter regulations.

It is worth mentioning that the liquids at these oil terminals have to be maintained and treated within certain conditions under the Dangerous Substances Act 1972.electronic Irish Statute Book (eISB). "electronic Irish Statute Book (eISB)". www.irishstatutebook.ie.

The Energy Transition In the 21st century, Ireland started to implement decarbonization. Big ports where major oil terminals are located can prove beneficial when dealing with the distribution of greener energy. Shannon Foynes started to develop a plan for a green hydrogen supply chain that can go into the European market. O’Sullivan, Kevin (January 29, 2024). "Rotterdam and Shannon Foynes Ports Plan Green Hydrogen Supply Chain to Continent". Insights Global.

Oil terminals in Ireland

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