§ Mr. Gordon Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Energy what frequency of inspection for corrosion of riser pipes and pipelines has been recommended by him to the respective North Sea operators; and what incidence of defects has emerged as a result of these inspections.
§ Dr. Mabon:The recommendation is that pipe-line risers he inspected annually. This frequency has been adopted by all North Sea operators as standard. Reports on the inspections are submitted to the pipelines inspectorate of my department.
Defects have been detected, as is to be expected. Remedial action, where necessary, is taken.