§ Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Power if he will give details of the number of oil rigs now drilling for oil. the location and crew of each, the effects of the recent gales and snowstorms on each and on the crew of each, indicating how many crew members were killed or injured during the same period.
§ Mr. MasonFive mobile platforms and four fixed platforms are currently engaged in drilling in the British sector of the North Sea, approximately between latitudes 53º and 54º North. Additionally the mobile platform "Staflo" has been drilling about 150 miles east of Aberdeen. There are normally about 50 crew members on each platform.
I am happy to say that, although there was some interruption of drilling operations, the recent gales did not cause any fatal or serious accidents among the crews or result in damage to any of the drilling platforms except the "Staflo".
On Friday, 14th March, the "Staflo" was being prepared for a move to a new site when the gale started. The platform broke loose from its anchorage and from attending tugs and 16 crew members were taken off by helicopter as a routine precautionary measure. The platform was subsequently brought under control by tugs and is now in Cromarty Firth. No injuries were caused to crew members but there was some minor damage to the anchoring system on the platform.