HC Deb 28 February 1978 vol 945 cc179-80W
Mr. Dykes

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list those companies or groupings currently engaged in North Sea oil development with which the British National Oil Corporation is at present involved in discussions to reach agreement in participation; and what progress these negotiations have so far made.

Dr. J. Dickson Mabon,

pursuant to the reply [Official Report, Vol. 939, cc. 17–18] gave the following further information

I have today signed a participation agreement in final form with BNOC and the companies of the Beatrice Group (Creslenn (UK) Ltd., Hunt Oil (UK) Ltd., Kerr-McGee Oil (UK) Ltd., Mesa (UK) Ltd., P and O Petroleum Ltd. Mesa Eastern, Inc., Hunt Overseas Oil Inc., and Creslenn Chelsea Company). The group has now been transferred from List C, in my previous reply, to List A.

An extended summary of the agreement has been placed in the Library of the House.