HC Deb 25 June 1990 vol 175 cc106-7W
6. Mr. Quentin Davies

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what proportion of the total stock of fixed capital investment in offshore oil and gas fields has been invested since 1979.

Mr. Baldry

Of the £65,000 million capital investment in offshore oil and gas fields, over 60 per cent. has been invested since 1979.

10. Mr. Douglas

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the current output of oil and gas from the United Kingdom sector of the continental shelf.

Mr. Baldry

Oil and gas production in the first quarter of this year were, respectively, 24.2 million tonnes and 5,700 million therms.

18. Mr. Carrington

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what level he expects exploration and appraisal drilling on the United Kingdom continental shelf to reach in the current year.

30. Mr. Allan Stewart

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what level he expects exploration and appraisal drilling on the United Kingdom continental shelf to reach in the current year.

Mr. Baldry

A survey of company intentions by my Department showed that a record number of more than 200 exploration and appraisal wells could be drilled in the United Kingdom continental shelf this year.

Department of Energy research, development and demonstration expenditure on renewable energy (£ millions)
1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 1985–86 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89 1989–90
Wind 0.6 0.8 0.9 2.5 2.5 4.8 5.4 3.7 4.0 3.9 4.8
Wave 3.0 3.3 4.4 3.1 1.0 0.4 0.4 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1
Geothermal Aquifers 1.3 1.7 2.6 1.5 1.8 1.1 0.3 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.2
Geothermal hot dry rocks 0.0 0.6 5.6 3.0 2.9 4.6 3.5 3.5 3.6 3.5 3.3
Solar 1.2 0.9 0.7 1.4 0.9 0.5 0.7 0.9 1.1 1.4 1.9
Biomass1 0.1 0.4 0.4 1.2 0.7 1.1 0.8 1.3 2.2 1.5 1.4
Tide 0.6 1.4 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.1 0.1 1.4 1.2 1.1
Hydro/General studies — — — — — — — — 0.8 0.8 0.8
Technology transfer and promotion — — — — — — — — 0.7 1.0 1.6
ETSU services 1.4 2.2 2.3 2.0 1.9 2.1 2.0 2.3 2.3 2.5 2.7
8.2 11.3 17.3 14.7 11.7 14.9 13.2 12.0 16.3 16.0 17.9
1 Includes expenditure on "waste as a fuel" under the Energy Efficiency Demonstration Scheme.

Note:

Up to 1986–87 total for R & D also includes expenditure on low head hydro and general studies. These are separately identified for 1987–88 and include work carried out by the Chief Scientist's Group, ETSU.

44. Mr. Fearn

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he has any plans to reassess the potential for wave power; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Morrison

As I announced to the House on 13 November 1989, an updating study to review cost, technical and commercial viability and prospects for wave energy in the United Kingdom is currently under way. The views of all interested parties are welcome and I will ensure that they are all taken into account. Further consultation will take place as work progresses and the final report will be published.

45. Mr. Wallace

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the development potential of Salter's Duck.

Mr. Peter Morrison

While my Department has no current plans for additional funding of this project, an updating study to review wave energy in the United Kingdom is currently under way. Interested parties will be consulted fully as this study progresses; indeed, only last week I met Professor Salter to ensure that I was personally aware of his views.