British National Oil Corporation (Hansard, 27 January 1982)

§ Mr. Skeet
asked the Secretary of State for Energy what steps are being taken to reduce the British National Oil Corporation's existing exploration commitments under rounds 5 and 6 by private sector farm-ins of licensed blocks, in view of Her Majesty's Government's recommendations of October 1979.

§ Mr. Gray
The Government decided in July 1979 that the British National Oil Corporation's extensive exploration commitments should be reduced. The corporation in October 1979 invited farm-in proposals on a number of specified blocks, including 15 blocks awarded in the fifth round. No sixth round blocks were included in the list. To date, assignments have been completed of part of the corporation's interest in five fifth round blocks.

§ Mr. Skeet
asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will indicate the activities undertaken by the British National Oil Corporation in respect of section 3(5) of the Petroleum and Submarine Pipe-Lines Act 1975, specifically the number and description of pipe-line systems and storage locations.

§ Mr. Gray
The corporation currently manages that part of the Government's pipeline and storage system which, prior to 1 April 1977, had been managed by the Department of Energy. This includes some 50 storage points, located along the pipeline, not all of which are in use. It would not be in the public interest to publish a list of sites.

§ Mr. Skeet
asked the Secretary of State for Energy upon how many operating committees the British National Oil Corporation is currently represented.

§ Mr. Gray
BNOC is represented on all operating committees where the corporation has an equity interest, but does not currently attend operating committees where it has no equity interest.
358W

§ Mr. Skeet
asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the exploration operations of the British National Oil Corporation abroad to which he has assented.

§ Mr. Gray
I have issued consents under section 2(4)(a) of the Petroleum and Submarine Pipe-lines Act 1975 for the corporation to search for and get petroleum outside Great Britain and controlled waters in respect of

(a) a defined area of the continental shelf appertaining to the French Republic;

(b) a defined area of the emirate of Dubai;

(c) the territory of metropolitan Denmark and the continental shelf appertaining thereto; and

(d) a defined area offshore Indonesia.