Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if she will make a statement on what discussions her Department has had with oil companies regarding oil exploration projects in central Asia in the last 12 months; [19411]
(2) if she will make a statement on what discussions her Department has had with Shell UK on their interests in central Asia in the last 12 months; [19412]
(3) if she will make a statement on what discussions her Department has had with representatives of BP in the last 12 months. [19410]
§ Mr. WilsonOver any 12-month period, there are numerous discussions between DTI and Trade Partners UK (TPUK) ministers and officials, and representatives of all UK oil companies, including BP and Shell. These discussions take place in the UK, and in our overseas posts around the world.
663WCentral Asia, in particular Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, is currently a major region for international oil company investment. Many of the DTI and TPUK discussions with UK oil companies over the last 12 months will have covered their activities in, and plans for, this part of the world.