§ Mr. Woofasked the Secretary of State for Energy what are the most recent results of exploration and appraisal work of oil estimates and reserves in the United Kingdom sector of the Continental Shelf; and how this compares with the estimate of 1974.
§ Dr. J. Dickson MahonThe results of exploration and appraisal work are given in my Department's annual report, the Brown Book. The most recent edition, which was published on 29th April, showed that considerable advances have taken place in the last few years. In particular, comparison with the 1974 report shows that proven reserves have increased by over 50 per cent. and the number of oil discoveries almost threefold.
§ Mr. Woofasked the Secretary of State for Energy what are the most recent estimated proven oil reserves in million tonnes in existing commercial fields in the United Kingdom licensed areas.
§ Mr. BennThe most recent estimate of oil reserves in existing commercial fields in th United Kingdom licensed area were given in my Department's annual report "Development of the oil and gas 63W resources of the United Kingdom", published on 29th April this year. The report shows that these fields had 1,000 million tonnes of proven reserves, 100 million of probable reserves and 70 million tonnes of possible reserves.
§ Mr. Woofasked the Secretary of State for Energy what is his latest estimate of oil reserves expected from further finds on existing licences in the United Kingdom licensed area.
§ Mr. BennThe most recent estimates of oil reserves in the United Kingdom licensed area were given in my Department's annual report "Development of the oil and gas resources of the United Kingdom ", published on 29th April this year. The report showed that significant discoveries not yet fully appraised contained 350 million tonnes of proven reserves, 480 million tonnes of probable reserves and 290 million tonnes of possible reserves and that 380 million tonnes of probable reserves and 520 million tonnes of possible reserves are expected from future finds.