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Dept of Trade and Industry

Answer

Mr. Anthony D. Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps are being taken to prepare for future petroleum licensing rounds on the UK continental shelf. [135200] Mrs. Liddell: I have today initiated a three month public consultation which will look at the potential environmental impact of oil and gas activity in the area between the Shetland and Faroe Islands known as the `White Zone'. A formal invitation will shortly be made to oil companies to bid for licences in this area. But before any licences are awarded, I want to hear the views of the public and experts on the environmental impact that these activities might have. Depending on the outcome of this consultation, we may impose conditions on the licences or withhold areas on offer. For the first time, the Department has commissioned and published an independent strategic environmental assessment of the White Zone, the surrounding area and the possible oil and gas impacts on it. This report will be made available to interested parties and should help promote informed responses to the consultation. The consultation also asks for views on draft regulations applying the EU's Habitats Directive, which requires the protection of certain species and habitats, to offshore oil and gas activities. Under the regulations, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State must consider the requirements of the Directive when taking decisions relating to those activities. Today's proposals mark a further major improvement to the transparency of our environmental and licensing regimes. They demonstrate the importance Government and industry continue to place on protecting marine habitats and species. However, it is also important to provide further opportunities for petroleum exploration on the UK Continental Shelf. The proposed changes will provide a stronger legal and environmental framework for future offshore licensing rounds. The 19{th} licensing round applications, which should be received early next year, will be the first to be considered under this new approach. Maintaining oil and gas discoveries over the coming years is vital if we are to sustain an important industry and benefit the UK economy.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

355 c129W; 135200

Session

1999-00

Subjects

Licensing Environment protection EU law Environmental impact assessment Exploration Oil Natural gas Nature conservation Production Faroe Islands Shetland White zone

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk