HC Deb 30 October 1996 vol 284 cc153-4W
Ms Ruddock

To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what are the dates or estimated dates(a) on which he proposes to announce the call for nominations in relation to the blocks to be offered in the 18 offshore licensing round for UK oil and gas exploration, (b) between which he proposes to conduct the consultation for the nomination of blocks to be offered in the 18 offshore licensing round for UK oil and gas exploration, (c) on which he proposes to announce which blocks are to be offered in the 18 offshore licensing round for UK oil and gas exploration, and (d) on which he proposes to announce the winning bids in relation to the 18 offshore licensing round for UK oil and gas exploration; [514]

(2) if an environmental impact assessment will be required of applicants in relation to the 18 offshore licensing round for UK oil and gas exploration; [515]

(3) what further rounds are planned for UK offshore oil and gas exploration licensing; and over what period he intends to conduct each of those rounds. [516]

Mr. Page

No decisions have been taken about the timing and scope of the 18th round of offshore licensing nor any subsequent rounds.

I hope that it will be possible, however, to hold a round in 1997 and further rounds at regular intervals thereafter in order to ensure that the United Kingdom continental shelf remains an attractive investment location for oil and gas companies until well into the next century.

Decisions about the need for environmental impact assessments in relation to an 18th round will take account of relevant legislation, international obligations and the advice provided to me by statutory and other advisers during the consultation process preceding the offer of blocks.

Ms Ruddock

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action is taken by Government Departments to ensure that the level of use and discharge of chemicals in water and in drilling muds from offshore oil and gas installations remains within agreed limits for each installation. [509]

Mr. Page

The discharge of chemicals from offshore installations is currently regulated by a voluntary scheme. This scheme will be replaced by an internationally agreed mandatory scheme in the near future which will also regulate use of chemicals.

I refer the hon. Member to my previous replies to similar questions on 4 June 1996, Official Report, columns 307–8 and 3 July 1996, Official Report, column 458.

Ms Ruddock

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what regulatory action is undertaken by the Government to ensure that the cumulative effects of discharges to the environment from offshore oil and gas installations are maintained below levels which cause damage to marine wildlife and habitats. [508]

Mr. Page

Exemptions from the Prevention of Oil Pollution Act are given to offshore installations at levels which are agreed in international fora as not likely to cause cumulative damage to marine wildlife and habitats.

I refer the hon. Member to my previous replies to similar questions on 4 June 1996, Official Report columns 307–8 and 3 July 1996, Official Report, column 458.

Ms Ruddock

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what arrangements are in place for Government officials to undertake field inspections to assess the quality and quantity of polluting discharges other than oil spills and produced water from offshore oil and gas installations. [510]

Mr. Page

My officials make use of transport systems provided by the industry in order to undertake field inspections to assess the quality and quantity of polluting discharges. It is understood that this practice mirrors that undertaken in other nations.

Ms Ruddock

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what cumulative impacts of discharges from offshore oil and gas installations on marine wildlife and habitats are taken into account when agreeing limits for the discharge and use of chemicals for each installation. [507]

Mr. Page

My Department is advised by the Ministry of Fisheries and Food and the Scottish Office Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries Department on the impacts of discharges to the marine environment. I refer the hon. Member to the replies given today by my hon. Friends, the Parliamentary Under Secretaries at MAFF and the Scottish Office to her questions on this topic.