HC Deb 27 June 1985 vol 81 c471W
Mr. Pawsey

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if, further to his reply to the hon. Member for Rugby and Kenilworth of 24 June, he will give the location of those areas in Warwickshire for which oil exploration licences have been granted, the dates on which they were granted and details of any results so far achieved.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

The part of Warwickshire covered by petroleum licences is south of an east-west line along OS grid reference SP5000. Current licences comprise two production licences awarded in June 1971 and two exploration licences awarded in May 1982 and March 1983, respectively. Some seismic surveys have been carried out under these licences in the area referred to, but no wells have been drilled.

Mr. Pawsey

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will name the companies involved in oil exploration in Warwickshire and the dates in which these oil explorations are likely to be concluded.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

Petroleum licences entitle the holders to carry out relevant work throughout the licence term, subject where necessary to permission from the local planning authority.

Companies holding petroleum licences covering part of Warwickshire and the term of the licences are as follows:

Production Licences (46-year term) The production licensees are Bearcat Exploration (UK) Ltd. (Operator), Consolidated Oil and Gas (UK) Ltd., Teck Resources (UK) Ltd. and Shell UK Ltd. (one group) and Consolidated Oil and Gas (UK) Ltd. (Operator), Teck Resources (UK) Ltd. and Shell UK Ltd. (second group).

Exploration Licences (6-year term) The exploration licensees are Clyde Petroleum plc (Operator), Charterhouse Petroleum Development Ltd. and Industrial Energy Scotland plc.