§ 50. Mr. FavellTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what assessment he has made of the de-commissioning costs of oil rigs in the North sea.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThe estimates of abandonment costs remain very uncertain due to continuing uncertainties as to timing, technology and extent of removal. But for all existing installations and for those currently in the process of, or close to construction my Department currently estimates an aggregate abandonment cost of some £4 billion at 1988 prices.