§ Mr. Viggersasked the Secretary of State for Energy what were the projected total United Kingdom's (a) oil and (b) natural gas reserves as assessed in each of the years 1938, 1950, 1955, 1960, 1965, 1970, 1975 and 1979; what was the estimated period of time such reserves would last in each of those years; and if he will give his answer on a basis as far as possible consistent with the written answer on world oil reserves given to the hon. Member for Deryshire, West (Mr. Parris) on 16 December.
Year Remaining proven reserves, End Year, in UK Consumption in that year Ratio of reserves to consumption Oil (million tonnes) Natural Gas(million tonnes)Oil equivalent) Oil (million tonnes) Natural Gas (million tonnes oil equivalent) Oil Natural Gas 1938 — — — — — — 1950 0.9 — — — — — 1955 0.8 — — — — — 1960 0.5 — — — — — 1965 1.7 40 69 0.8 0.02 50 1970 252 576 104 10.5 2 55 1975 1342 814 94 32.6 14 25 1979 1200 906 95 42.0 13 22 Sources: BP and Department of Energy.