29 JUNE 2002, Page 32

From Mr Patrick S. Briggs Sir: Andrew Kenny's informed blast

at fix. global-warming scaremongers was a welcome antidote to the sanctimonious claptrap we usually hear on this subject. However, I fear that his view that the 'oil companies can easily diversify out of oil' is mistaken. The diversification track record of multinational oil companies is woeful, and they are really only comfortable on their familiar terrain of oil and gas. Shell, for example, failed in its forays into nuclear power, coal and metals, and is no longer active in these businesses. And, while it is true that considerable investments are being made by Shell, BP and others in renewable energy, the levels of expenditure are minuscule compared with their commitments to oil and gas.

Patrick S. Briggs

Teddington, Middlesex