§ Mr. Warrenasked the Minister for Trade if he is satisfied that adequate pollution control systems are available to cover problems which may arise from offshore drilling scheduled to take place in the English channel; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GrayI have been asked to reply.
Before any exploration or production drilling takes place anywhere in United Kingdom waters operators must satisfy me that they have drawn up an oil spill contingency plan which sets out a credible response to an oil spill incident.
The plans must indicate the resources which can be mobilised by the operators both as a first response, utilising equipment at the drilling location and as back-up should the incident require it. Operators must show clearly their access to these back-up resources, for example, by contractual arrangements or by membership of the United Kingdom Offshore Operators Association. In the event of a serious incident operators can also seek assistance from the marine pollution control unit of the Department of Trade including its aerial spraying capability, and of other operators in the area.
The blocks in the English Channel in common with other blocks licensed in the 7th and 8th rounds require operators to incorporate certain essential elements into their oil spill contingency plans. These elements are designed to ensure a rapid response to an incident and specifically require operators to have available equipment capable of spraying dispersant at 30 minutes notice and the availability of back-up resources within half the minimum time it has been calculated it would take for oil to reach the shore.
I am satisfied that there are adequate resources available in the English Channel area to enable these plans to be implemented effectively and my officials will ensure that operators have identified these resources and have made satisfactory arrangements to have access to them before they commence any drilling or ultimate production.