§ Mr. John Mooreasked the Secretary of State for Energy how much money the Government or any of their agencies or corporations have provided to date for exploration or development of oil and natural gas in the North Sea.
§ Dr. MabonPublic sector expenditure to date specifically for the exploration and development of oil and natural gas in the United Kingdom Continental Shelf is estimated at approximately £770 million.
§ Mr. John Mooreasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will indicate the 292W source of past and current funds for the exploration and development of North Sea oil and gas reserves, giving the percentage contribution.
§ Dr. MabonIt is not possible to trace the financial source of funds employed for the development of the United Kingdom Continental Shelf oil and gas fields but estimates of capital expenditure upon appraisal and development between 1968 and the end of 1977, based on the development plans and other returns provided to my Department and the participation shares of licences at the end of 1977 indicate the United States, the United Kingdom and other countries of the EEC have contributed 44 per cent., 33 per cent. and 23 per cent. respectively of the total cost. Historic expenditure is periodically reapportioned on the basis of revised participation shares and these proportions reflect the present ownership of assets rather than the expenditure incurred in any particular year. The information available on exploration expenditure does not permit an analysis on a similar basis.