§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the blocks awarded to the British National Oil Corporation under successive licensing rounds where farm-outs have been granted to private sector companies by the corporation.
§ Mr. GrayThe British National Oil Corporation in partnership with other companies, was awarded licences in the fifth, sixth and seventh rounds of offshore licensing. The corporation was also awarded four sole licences, outside licensing rounds. Of the blocks covered by these licences, assignments of interest in the following have to date been completed by the corporation to companies other than United Kingdom public sector companies: 13/27, 20/3, 20/9, 3/10b, 13/19, 15/6, 31/21, 31/26, 31/27, 211/24c and 211/25b.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will invite the British National Oil Corporation to make a review of its affairs under section 3(4) of the Petroleum and Submarine Pipe-Lines Act 1975 in view of the Oil and Gas (Enterprise) Bill and call for a new corporate plan, in view of the fact that the existing documents will be nullified by prospective changes.
§ Mr. GrayAs part of its regular cycle of planning, the corporation is currently preparing a new corporate plan.