Mr. Alan W. WilliamsTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what are the results of the exploration programme for oil and gas off the Welsh coast.
§ Mr. MoynihanOne significant discovery of oil and one of gas have been made from exploration drilling undertaken to date in waters off the coast of Wales. Both discoveries were made in 1990 in block 110/13 of the United Kingdom continental shelf, for which Hamilton Brothers Oil and Gas Ltd. acts as operator. The company is planning further drilling to assess the likely extent of both discoveries.
Mr. Alan W. WilliamsTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the number of wells drilled in waters off the Welsh coast for each year from 1970 to 1990 in the exploration for oil and gas.
§ Mr. MoynihanA total of 15 exploration wells and one appraisal well were drilled in waters off the coast of Wales between 1970 and 1990. The appraisal well and four of the exploration wells were drilled in 1990; and there were four exploration well starts in 1976, two in 1978 and one in each of the years 1974, 1984, 1987, 1988 and 1989.
Mr. Alan W. WilliamsTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his latest estimate of oil resources in the oilfield discovered in Block 110/13.
§ Mr. MoynihanThe oil discovery in block 110/13 of the United Kingdom continental shelf announced by the operator, Hamilton Brothers Oil and Gas Ltd., in December 1990 will require further appraisal before an estimate can be made of the amount of oil which is potentially recoverable.