§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what research his Department has carried out into the levels of hydrocarbons in the North sea; [26167]
(2) if he will list the research work sponsored by his Department into the effects of oil-based drilling muds in the North sea; [126169]
(3) what estimates he has made of (a) the average level of hydrocarbons in the North sea and (b) the level of hydrocarbons in the 8 km radius of oil drilling platforms; [26168]
(4) what assessment his Department has made of contamination around oil drilling platforms in the North sea; [26166]
(5) what assessment his Department has made of the effects of oil-based drilling muds on the North sea. [26170]
§ Mr. AtkinsMarine laboratories of the fisheries departments carry out research into this area and relevant data are compiled by the Oslo and Paris Commission from information provided by all North sea states involved in offshore activities. This information was reported in the 1993 "North Sea Quality Status" report and its associated sub-regional reports, copies of which are in the House Library.
In the North sea as a whole, oil concentrations in water are generally low. These reports state that levels of oil may be higher close to production platforms than elsewhere in the North sea. Such concentrations influence the sea floor community in the immediate vicinity and some effects may persist up to several kilometres from the drilling site.