HC Deb 08 December 1980 vol 995 c221W
Mr. Ernie Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what has been the percentage of North Sea oil production refined in the United Kingdom in each year since 1974.

1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979
Thousand Tonnes 924 3,049 21,673 28,317 38,317
Percentage 82.8 69.8 58.1 53.6 49.9

Mr. Meacher

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is his latest estimate of total North Sea oil reserves; what percentage this represents of world reserves; what are these estimated total North Sea oil reserves worth at 1980 prices; what has been the output from these fields each year since 1970; what is forecast each year to 1985: and what is the United Kingdom domestic consumption in each of these years.

Mr. Gray

Remaining recoverable reserves of oil in the United Kingdom continental shelf at the end of 1979 were estimated to be in the range of 2,000 million to 4,200 million tonnes. This represents approximately 1 to 2 per cent. of world reserves. At the current oil price the United Kingdom

Primary fuel consumption of petroleum in the United Kingdom was:

1970 103.7
1971 104.7
1972 111.3
1973 113.7
1974 106.4
1975 93.3
1976 92.5
1977 92.9
1978 94.0
1979 94.0
1930 (82.0)
(estimate)

Forecasts of consumption are not available for the period requested.

Figures on output are already set out in a written answer to the hon. Member of today.