The DoI will not publish technical reports assessing the subsurface potential and risks of the island’s hydrocarbon resources.
Minister Dr Michelle Haywood was quizzed on the issue ahead of a Tynwald debate next week about future exploration.
The reports, commissioned from external advisors including the British Geological Survey, informed the Department’s response to proposals from the previous licensee, Crogga.
Dr Haywood said: “The department cannot publish the reports without specific permission from the technical advisers and we do not intend to request that permission.”
Former Infrastructure Minister Chris Thomas pressed for disclosure, arguing the information would eventually be published if the field were re-tendered.
He highlighted that detailed technical and geophysical data had been released during the 2017 tender process.
In response, Dr Haywood said the reports were “specific to that proposal,” adding: “Given that there are no further proposals on the table, the reports are not really relevant to anyone else at this time.”
The Minister confirmed the department continues to hold the information for “any future possible use”.