Oil and Gas Discoveries

HC Deb 15 February 1982 vol 18 cc10-1W

Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many significant discoveries of oil and gas have been made on blocks licensed under the fifth and sixth rounds.

Mr. Gray

Three oil discoveries were made in blocks licensed under the fifth round, and two oil discoveries on blocks licensed under the sixth round.

			Round
May 1978, Occidental	14/18–1	P263	5
June 1978, BNOC	30/17b-2	P266	5
May 1979, BNOC	30/17b-5	P266	5
April 1981, BNOC	20/02–1	P317	6
December 1981, Ultramar	13/29–1	P307	6

Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many significant oil and gas discoveries were made in 1981; and in how many the British National Oil Corporation was (a) the operator and (b) had an investment in excess of 30 per cent.

Mr. Gray

There were 16 oil discoveries in 1981, but no gas discoveries. Only 12 of these have been announced by the operator to date. BNOC was the operator in one instance—20/02-1—and had an investment of more than 30 per cent. in one other—13/29-1.