Offshore Exploration: Royalty Repayment Applications The Earl of LAUDERDALE asked Her Majesty's Government:How many offshore oil and gas producers, in how many fields, have respectively applied for, and been awarded, royalty rebates as incentives for marginal field development. The MINISTER of STATE, DEPARTMENT of EMPLOYMENT (The Earl of Gowrie) Three licensee groups, comprising a total of 16 companies, have applied for repayments of royalty under Section 41(3) of the Petroleum and Submarine Pipe-lines Act 1975 in respect of three fields. No repayment of royalty has been agreed.