§ Mr. Adam Hunterasked the Secretary of State for Energy what further consents he has given, under the licence terms, for the flaring of associated gas from the Brent field.
§ Dr. J. Dickson MabonOil production from the Brent field was shut down on 14th June in order to implement the summer offshore work programme planned by Shell as field operator.
My right hon. Friend has given careful consideration to the next stage of the programme proposed by Shell/Esso and has concluded that he is not able to give his consent to the re-start of Brent B oil production this autumn, because of the very substantial wastage of associated gas by flaring that this would entail.
Shell/Esso has been advised of his decision that the Brent B platform should remain shut down to enable the installation of gas re-injection facilities to be completed.
112WThe start of oil production from Brent D platform is also scheduled for this autumn, and as gas re-injection facilities should be installed from the time of startup my right hon. Friend expects to give consent for the more limited flaring of gas that will inevitably occur during the commissioning of the gas injection equipment.