Introduction

Originally published in 1981, this book discusses the development of higher cost North Sea gas and oil fields. Starting with the perceived need to develop these higher cost fields, the book focuses on their role in the policy interplay between government and industry. What is high cost, it is argued, is not only economically but also institutionally determined and through a comparative analysis of British and Danish policies with regard to high cost fields the author maintains that the role of institutional factors has been underplayed.