The Rockall Studies Group was set up, under the umbrella of the Petroleum Infrastructure Programme in June 1997 in conjunction with the award of licences under the Rockall Frontier Licensing Round.  The aim of the Group was to address common industry problems in the Rockall Trough by:
· regional data gathering - G&G / geotechnical /environmental / metocean
· research projects, both applied and academic
· scholarships associated with the research
· research cruise sponsorship
· provision of a forum to facilitate co-operation
· affording the opportunity for Irish involvement. 

Funding: €6,098,555 (€1,524,638 per annum).
Members: Agip, Anadarko, BG, BP, Conoco, Enterprise, Mobil, Murphy, PAD, Phillips, Shell, Statoil, TotalFinaElf.
Management: Management Committee representing oil companies and the Petroleum Affairs Division PAD (chair).
Secretariat: A Secretariat was set up in Dublin to assist the RSG with a range of administrative matters including secretarial duties, contract preparation, project management and data storage.
Contact:
PIP Secretariat
7 Dundrum Business Park
Windy Arbour
Dublin 14
Tel.: +353 1 296 4667
Fax: +353 1 296 4676
E-mail: noneill@pip.ie

The RSG completed its term in June 2001.  In all a total of 58 projects received RSG funding.  While a large part of the budget was required for vital research data acquisition (cruises, requiring the use of foreign vessels for the most part), 2.9 million was spent on actual land-based research with some 61% of this going to local universities and institutions.  The balance was used for specialised services provided by outside organisations, mostly in the EU.  A caretaker group (RSG Caretaker Group RCG ) was setup for a period of 12 months until June 2002 to oversee the completion the the Group s work.  In June 2002 the Petroleum Affairs Division (PAD) took responsibility for samples acquired by the RSG.
 
M/V Bucentaur - Atlantic Margin Drilling Project, July 1999
(RSG Project 97/50)