§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy what are the Government's latest forecasts of petroleum production.
§ Mr. David HowellThe latest assessment by my Department forecasts petroleum production in the years 1981, 1982, 1983 and 1984 as follows:
Million tonnes 1981 80.95 1982 85.110 1983 85.115 1984 90.120 As in previous years, these forecasts present a range of possible levels of production for each year. The ranges make allowance for the delays which may be caused by the kind of technical and geological problems which operators in the North Sea can expect to encounter in addition to the difficulties which are associated with getting petroleum ashore in that hostile environment. The ranges make no 154W allowance for the effects of future decisions on the rate of depletion of particular fields, in pursuance of the policy announced in my statement in the House on 23 July last.