§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will indicate whether any North Sea oilfields or potential hydrocarbon discoveries lie within three miles of the Scottish coast.
§ Mr. John SmithThere are no such fields: in the light of present knowledge, the possibilities of a discovery are remote.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the number of North Sea oilfields and potential discoveries of hydrocarbons which lie within three miles of the Shetland Islands.
§ Mr. John SmithThere are no such fields: in the light of present knowledge, the possibilities of a discovery are remote.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will give a list of the 15 major oilfields of the North Sea and indicate the distance of each from the United Kingdom coastline.
§ Mr. John SmithThere are 13 commercial fields on the United Kingdom Shelf and these with their distances from the United Kingdom coast are as follows:
It should be noted that these distances are approximate and have been measured 729W from the nearest point on the United Kingdom chart and do not coincide with pipeline routes or the normal routes followed by servicing vessels or aircraft.
Miles Brent 85 Thistle 88 Dunlin 83 Ninian 70 Alwyn 83 Heather 60 Beryl 102 Piper 96 Claymore 82 Forties 100 Auk 163 Argyll 175 Montrose 120
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy what he considers to be a fair oil floor price for the North Sea; and how many Community countries, apart from the International Energy Agency, have accepted the need in principle.
§ Mr. John SmithDetails of the minimum safeguard price scheme are under negotiations, and it would be premature to reveal the price level being discussed; it of course does not only apply to North Sea oil. Those Members of the European Community who are also Members of the International Energy Agency have accepted the principle of the proposed scheme.