HC Deb 26 March 1990 vol 170 cc89-90W
32. Mr. Bowis

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his estimate of the likely level of drilling on the United Kingdom continental shelf in 1990.

47. Mr. Arbuthnot

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his estimate of the likely level of drilling on the United Kingdom continental shelf in 1990.

Mr. Peter Morrison

A recent survey of company intentions by my Department showed that a record number of more than 200 exploration and appraisal wells could be drilled in the United Kingdom continental shelf this year.

38. Mr. Rowe

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what plans he has for the reduction of the number of fallow blocks on the United Kingdom continental shelf in 1990.

54. Mr. Tim Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what plans he has for the reduction of the number of fallow blocks on the United Kingdom continental shelf in 1990.

Mr. Peter Morrison

As I indicated in my reply on. 26 February to my hon. Friends the Members for Maidstone (Miss Widdecombe) and for Broxtowe, (Mr. Lester), I am pressing forward with the fallow block initiative. I will be keeping in close touch through 1990 with the licensees concerned, and I will be encouraging them to continue the good progress made in 1989 in reducing the number of fallow blocks.

43. Mr. Ian Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many significant discoveries of oil and gas were made on the United Kingdom continental shelf during 1989.

52. Mr. Wood

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many significant discoveries of oil and gas were made on the United Kingdom continental shelf during 1989.

55. Mr. Roger King

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many significant discoveries of oil and gas were made on the United Kingdom continental shelf during 1989.

Mr. Peter Morrison

Twenty-nine significant discoveries, comprising nine of oil, 13 of gas, four of oil and gas, two of gas and condensate and one of condensate were made on the United Kingdom continental shelf in 1989, the highest total in any one year since offshore activity began in 1964.

57. Mr. Page

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many of the wells drilled on the United Kingdom continental shelf have been drilled(a) since 1964 and (b) since 1979.

Mr. Peter Morrison

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Dulwich (Mr. Bowden) earlier today.