Further to our telephone conversation on 31st January, I can now confirm that I would be happy to meet with you at your offices on the afternoon of Friday 21st February to discuss matters relating to the Foinaven development. Ahead of such a meeting, I thought it might be useful for me to outline BP's position on some of the issues which Greenpeace have raised.

In Lord Melchett's letter of 21 August 1996 to the Prime Minister, he expressed concern about oil developments in the Atlantic frontier, particularly Foinaven, suggesting that it is at variance with the committment of Her Majesty's Government to sustainable development, and is specifically counter to the UK's position on global climate change.

BP acknowledges that global climate change is a serious issue, and we are an active participant in the debate about solutions, co-operating with governments in seeking economically sound and internationally agreed policies. We seek continuous improvements in our own use of energy, and have made significant progress in improving the efficiency of our operations, resulting in lower emissions.

We are committed to the goal of operating with "no damage to the environment", an aim entirely consistent with the concept of sustainable development. The design and operation of the Foinaven oil field demonstrates this commitment, as evidenced by the detailed information within the Environmental Assessment and the Oil Spill Contingency plan.

The Foinaven project team have also consulted widely and listened to the opinions of local stakeholders and other interested organisations and individuals. That consultation has led to a number of changes being made to the design of the FPSO, the design of the Support vessel and the Oil Spill Contingency Plan.

I believe our open approach, combined with tangible action arising from consultation, has done much to reassure those stakeholders, organisations and individuals.

1 would hope that our conversations with yourselves can be similarly constructive.

It would therefore be helpful, to ensure that a consutructive atmosphere for discussion exists, if Greenpeace could confirm that they do not intend to conduct a carmpaign which involves physical interference with our lawful and legitimate development activities in the Atlantic Frontier, particularly Foinaven.

I would be grateful for such confirmation before 21st February.

Yours sincerely

A P DAWSON