§ Mr. Macfarlaneasked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the estimated loss of production of North Sea oil as a result of inclement winter weather in each of the oilfields; and what effect this will have on United Kingdom production throughout 1978.
§ Dr. J. Dickson MabonDuring the fourth quarter of 1977 production was approximately 2 million tonnes below the level forecast earlier in the year. I cannot isolate the reduction in production directly resulting from bad weather from that caused by other factors. Figures for production in January 1978 are not yet available and I cannot forecast the impact of weather on production during the year. I am aware that conditions offshore have been very severe in recent weeks.