§ Mr. Dodsworthasked the Secretary of State for Energy what minimum drilling commitments are involved in each offshore oil block, covering what period of time; and what is the total cost of the initial programme.
§ Dr. MahonThe hon. Member will understand that, because of commercial confidentiality, I am unable to give information about drilling commitments for individual blocks. However, the average outstanding commitment—under the fifth licensing round—is a little more than one well per block, to be drilled over a period of seven years. The average cost per well is of the order of £3 million.