§ Mr. Ogdenasked the Minister of Technology what were the estimated reserves 290W of natural gas discovered in the British area of the North Sea each year from 1960 to 1969, inclusive.
Mr. Alan WilliamsThe first discovery of gas in the British area of the North Sea was made in October, 1965. Since then, other discoveries have been made each year.
Additions to reserves have not been assigned on a year-to-year basis, because before the reserves of a discovery can be properly assessed appraisal drilling has to be made to determine the extent of the discovery. This may take several years, and upward or downward adjustments would have to be made to the estimated reserves dependent upon the results of this appraisal.
At the end of 1969 recoverable reserves of gas from the North Sea were estimated at about 29 trillion cubic feet.