§ Mr. Peter Millsasked the Secretary of State for Energy what progress has been made in oil exploration in the Celtic Sea; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John SmithTo date two wells have been drilled in licensed areas of the United Kingdom part of the Celtic Sea but no discoveries have been made. It is now unlikely that further exploration drilling will take place this year. Thus licensees will have rather more than two years in which to complete the drilling obligations prescribed in their licences: the expectation is that these will be fulfilled.