§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy how much Government money has been invested to date in research and development into steel and concrete platforms, respectively; and whether he has any knowledge of outlays for similar purposes by the industry concerned.
§ Dr. John A. CunninghamMuch of the research work supported by the Department is applicable to offshore installations of any form of construction, and includes programmes on environmental data collection; wind, wave and current forces; foundations; and inspection and repair. Of those programmes of direct relevance to the construction of steel or concrete oil and gas production platforms a number have been undertaken in collaboration with industrial participants. The total expenditure incurred on this work by my Department and industry respectively up to 31st March 1977 is shown below:
While there has been a large amount of further expenditure within industry by 425W individual organisations it is impossible to quantify this in detail.
Department of Energy contribution £ thousands Steel platforms 1,966 Concrete platforms 274 Industrial contribution Steel platforms 2,290 Concrete platforms 788