HC Deb 08 May 1972 vol 836 cc255-6W
53. Mr. Ewing

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many Scottish companies are now involved in projects concerned with North Sea oil.

Mr. Anthony Grant:

Nine companies registered in Scotland are licensed to search for and produce oil or gas, and an increasing number of firms are supporting these operations.

Mr. Ewing

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how long in terms of years he expects the oil resources in the North Sea to be available.

Mr. Tom Boardman:

I am unable to say at this early stage in the development of our Continental Shelf petroleum resources.

Mr. Ewing

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of North Sea oil he expects to be refined in Scotland; and what proportion will be transported as crude oil.

Mr. Tom Boardman:

Much of the production currently in prospect is planned to be refined in Grangemouth refinery which British Petroleum Company intends to expand. The remainder will be refined elsewhere in the United Kingdom or exported, but it is too early to estimate proportions.