UK energy minister sees strong E and P as key to healthy economy

Journal Article · Sat Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1997 · World Oil

OSTI ID:541205

A watershed event occurred on May 1, 1997, when Britain`s Labour Party achieved its greatest electoral victory of the 20th century by winning an incredible 419 seats in parliament. Prior to the election, there had been some nervousness among companies in the UK`s E and P sector about the prospect of a Labour administration. After 18 years of Conservative rule, the industry had grown comfortable with the status quo and feared that a switch of parties might bring unwelcome changes to oil and gas policy. That has not occurred, so far, during the first six months of Labour`s reign. Prime Minister Tony Blair has entrusted energy matters to Mr. John Battle, MP, the new Minister of Science, Energy and Industry within the Department of Trade and Industry. As the son of a nuclear engineer, the 46-year-old minister has a unique appreciation of the benefits that industry, technology and science bring to everyday people`s lives. During a recent, multi-country fact-finding tour, World Oil International Editor Kurt Abraham sat down with Minister Battle at his DTI office in London to discuss the state of Britain`s upstream, as seen through the eyes of the new regime.

• OSTI ID: 541205
• Journal Information: World Oil, Journal Name: World Oil Journal Issue: 11 Vol. 218; ISSN 0043-8790; ISSN WOOIAS
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
ENERGY POLICY
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
EXPLORATION
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
INVESTMENT
NATURAL GAS INDUSTRY
PETROLEUM INDUSTRY
PRODUCTION
UNITED KINGDOM