HC Deb 19 December 1983 vol 51 c3
3. Mr. Hayward

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if there has been an increase since 1979 in onshore appraisal well drilling.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

There were no appraisal wells drilled onshore during 1979 and 1980, but during 1981, 1982, and the first 11 months of 1983, one, four and six wells have been drilled respectively.

Mr. Hayward

To what extent does onshore drilling give opportunities to smaller oil companies as against the larger established companies, which undertake much of the drilling in the North sea?

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

My hon. Friend is correct to assume that the cost of drilling onshore is very much less than that of drilling offshore. There is no doubt that the opportunity to carry out these activities onshore is a good way of getting some of the smaller British companies into the industry.