HC Deb 09 July 1973 vol 859 cc245-6W
Mr. Roger White

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects a decision to be made on the transfer of the Gulf Oil Company's share of Rough Gas Field; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Tom Boardman

My right hon. Friend has today given formal consent to the assignment of the Gulf Oil licence rights to the British Gas Corporation-Amoco (UK) Petroleum Ltd. Group. Under the terms of an agreement between members of the group, BGC will acquire a 50 per cent. interest in the field as a whole. Prior to such agreement the British Gas Corporation had just over a 30 per cent. interest in part of the field, the remainder being held by foreign-owned companies.

Mr. Dell

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what other applications there were for the blocks in sec- tors 2,3,210 and 211 allocated to Shell/ Esso in the fourth round of licensing in the North Sea.

Mr. Tom Boardman

There was a total of 95 other applications.

Mr. Dell

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which blocks in sectors 2,3,210 and 211 in the United Kingdom Continental Shelf have been allocated to Shell/Esso; and in which round of licensing.

Mr. Tom Boardman

In the sectors mentioned Shell/Esso have been allocated the following blocks:

Block number Licensing round
3/12 4
210/20, 210/25 4
211/13, 211/14, 211/16, 211/21, 211/23, 211/26 4
211/29, 211/30 3