North Sea Oil

HC Deb 11 March 1975 vol 888 cc119-20W

Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will give an up-to-date assessment of the reserves of individual commercial North Sea oilfields, following the revision of Ninian reserves by BP/Sohio in their prospectus for funds for the Trans-Alaskan oil pipeline.

Mr. John Smith:

Estimates of reserves of individual oilfields are published by the companies concerned. These must remain liable to revision since firm estimates can only be given once production experience has been gained. The Government's up-to-date assessment of total production and reserves of North Sea oil will be published shortly in my right hon. Friend's 1975 report to Parliament.

Mr. Normanton

asked the Secretary of State for Energy to what extent the energy policy of the EEC will affect Great Britain's control over North Sea oil.

Mr. Varley:

We have made it abundantly clear in Brussels that our resources of oil and gas in the North Sea must remain under our national control.