§ Mr. Campbellasked the Secretary of State for Energy when he will publish his next report on oil and gas in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. BennI have today arranged for the publication of the annual report on the development of the oil and gas resources of the United Kingdom, the Brown Book. It covers offshore oil and gas activity last year, together with new estimates of reserves and prospects for the future. I have placed copies in the Libraries of both Houses and the Vote Office stores.
The report describes a year of significant achievement when the flow of oil from the North Sea started to build up rapidly from seven fields. It forecasts a speedy build-up in production over the next two years, leading to self-sufficiency for the United Kingdom in oil in 1980. Oil production in 1977 is expected to be 40 to 45 million tons; that is the equivalent of nearly half 271W United Kingdom demand for oil this year.
The report points out the economic and industrial benefits which are already accruing to the country and says that we must use the vast reserves wisely to get long-term advantages. The Brown Book envisages a continued high level of exploration and appraisal drilling in the coming year. It also notes the successful first year in the life of the British National Oil Corporation. It records the promulgation last year of additional safety regulations and sets out the statistics on the accident rate in offshore oil and gas operations. It remains my concern to do everything possible to reduce the number of accidents. The report looks forward to continued successful exploration and development on the United Kingdom Continental Shelf.