Statfjord Oilfield (Hansard, 24 January 1980)

§ Mr. Chapman
asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he is satisfied with the awarding of construction and service contracts in the Statfjord oilfield to date.

§ Mr. Gray
No, and I have made my concern clear to the Norwegian Government.

§ Mr. Chapman
asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he is satisfied with the bilateral agreements which operate in the North Sea Statfjord field, with particular reference to the procuring and taxing of materials and services.

§ Mr. Gray
The agreement between her Majesty's Government and the Government of Norway which relates to the Statfjord field confines itself to the development of the field and the apportionment of the reserves of the field between the two countries as called for in the 1965 agreement on the delimitation of the United Kingdom and Norwegian continental shelves. It does not cover such matters as procurement or taxation of materials and services.

§ Mr. Chapman
asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he is satisfied with the design proposed for the Statfjord C production platform, with particular reference to the cost.

§ Mr. Gray
The United Kingdom and Norwegian Statfjord licensees have yet to submit to their respective Governments full and updated development proposals, including proposals for a third platform. I cannot anticipate either the proposals or United Kingdom Government views on them.

§ Mr. Chapman
asked the Secretary of State for Energy what percentage holding the Government have, through the British National Oil Corporation, in 327W the North Sea Statfjord field; what percentage of the operating staff on platform A are British and Norwegian, respectively; what proportion of the concrete base and steel deck and how many of the modules of platform A were prefabricated in Great Britain and Norway, respectively; what proportion of the concrete base and steel deck and how many of the modules of platform B are being or will be preconstructed in Great Britain and Norway, respectively; and what policy he intends to promote with regard to the proportion of construction work to be allocated to Great Britain and Norway on platform C.

§ Mr. Gray
The British National Oil Corporation share in the Statfjord field is 5.30226 per cent. The operating staff on platform A breaks down to 95 per cent. Norwegian and 1.2 per cent. British. The concrete base and steel deck for the A platform were fabricated in Norway. Of the 20 modules for the platform, three were fabricated in the United Kingdom, 13 in Norway and four in Holland. On the B platform, the concrete base and steel deck are currently being constructed in Norway. The United Kingdom was unsuccessful in competing for the modules, 12 of which were awarded to Norwegian industry, the other six going to France. As regards the Government's attitude to the C platform, I have emphasised on each occasion I have met Norwegian Ministers the need to have a regime of international competitive bidding for the project within which competitive British companies might have the opportunity to enhance the United Kingdom's involvement in the project.

Brecon Beacons Pembrokeshire Coast Snowdonia

Number of access agreements completed since the Park was set up … … … … … Nil 4 Nil

Number of access agreements completed during the last 5 years … … … … … … Nil 3 Nil

Number of access agreements currently under negotiation … … … … … … … Nil 2 16

								Brecon Beacons	Pembrokeshire Coast	Snowdonia
Number of access agreements completed since the Park was set up	…	…	…	…	…	Nil	4	Nil
Number of access agreements completed during the last 5 years	…	…	…	…	…	…	Nil	3	Nil
Number of access agreements currently under negotiation	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	Nil	2	16