§ Mr. Gordon Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Energy what representations he has received regarding welltesting training; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John SmithThe Petroleum Industry Training Board has basic training courses in well-testing at a number of centres, including Great Yarmouth and Aberdeen. Well testing training was one of the subjects referred to in the report made to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment by the Working Party on Education and Training for Offshore Development. The Training Services Agency of the Manpower Services Commission is following up the recommendations contained in that report.
§ Mr. Gordon Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Energy what regulations and guidance he has made or given to companies operating in the Scottish sector of the North Sea regarding anti-blowout standards required for oil well casings; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John SmithLicensees are required to carry out their operations in accordance with the Institute of Petroleum Model Code of Safe Practice "Drilling and Production in Marine Areas". Proposed drilling programmes, including information about casing specifications and equipment for controlling blowouts, are required to be submitted to my Department's Petroleum Production Inspectorate for approval. Before any drilling operations are commenced on the United Kingdom Continental Shelf licensees are required to obtain consent under conditions attached to exploration and production licences.