HC Deb 21 November 1972 vol 846 cc359-60W
Mr. Douglas

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give details of the percentage of the total area of the United Kingdom sector of the Continental Shelf allocated for production and exploration.

Mr. Emery

Of the designated area of the United Kingdom Continental Shelf 25.4 per cent. is currently covered by petroleum production licences; holders of exploration licences are free to prospect over the remainder of the area.

Mr. Donald Stewart

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the current estimated yields and reserves of the wells and fields established in the Scottish sector of the North Sea, showing the estimated flow rates and potential reserves for each well and field.

Mr. Tom Boardman

It is estimated that production from the United Kingdom Continental Shelf will reach 25 million tons per annum by the mid-1970s and 75 million tons per annum by 1980. British Petroleum's Forties field is planned to produce 20 million tons per annum at peak and Shell/Esso's Brent field 15 million tons per annum. Shell/Esso have assessed recoverable reserves of Brent at about 140 million tons. Other production levels and reserve potentials have not been announced by the licensees.