§ Mr. Ernie Rossasked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the ratio of significant hydrocarbon discoveries to exploration wells drilled for each round of United Kingdom continental shelf licences awarded to date; and what is the ratio for each individual calendar year since 1964.
§ Mr. GrayThe ratio of significant hydrocarbon discoveries to exploration wells drilled for each round of United Kingdom continental shelf licences awarded to date is as follows:396W
Round 1 1 in 5.66 2 1 in 7.4 3 1 in 3.56 4 1 in 5 5 1 in 8.8 6 1 in 12.5 7 1 in 34.0 The ratio of significant hydrocarbon discoveries to exploration wells drilled for each calendar year since 1964 is as follows:
Ratio 1964 Nil 1965 1 in 4.5 1966 1 in 3.16 1967 1 in 19.5 1968 1 in 18 1969 1 in 6.14 1970 1 in 5.5 1971 1 in 4.4 1972 1 in 3.625 1973 1 in 5.571 1974 1 in 4.857 1975 1 in 3.16 1976 1 in 3.666 1977 1 in 8.5 1978 1 in 13.00 1979 1 in 4.571 1980 1 in 16.5 1981 1 in 3.666 1982 1 in 8.75 On the basis of the significant discoveries the success ratio from 1964 to 1982 is 1 in 5.55. The commercial success ratio, however, remains at approximately 1 in 12.