HC Deb 25 April 1967 vol 745 cc254-5W
96. Mr. Ronald Bell

asked the Minister of Power what he estimates to be the overall cost of the pipeline required to lay the trunk grid for North Sea gas distribution; and how much of this overall cost will be in foreign exchange.

Mr. Freeson

The Gas Council's preliminary estimate for the main transmission system is about £110 million but this will need to be revised as planning proceeds. Some of the pipe will have to be imported but it is not yet possible to say how much.

Mr. Ronald Bell

asked the Minister of Power what is his latest estimate, in thousands of millions of cubic feet a day, of the probable offtake of North Sea gas by 1970, and by 1975.

Mr. Marsh

The gas industry is planning to take some 2,000 million cubic feet a day by 1970, or soon after, dependent, of course, on the satisfactory conclusion of the current negotiations with the producing companies. I cannot at present give an estimate for 1975.

100. Mr. Blaker

asked the Minister of Power what is his latest estimate, in thousands of millions of cubic feet a day, of the probable amount of gas available from the North Sea fields by 1970, and by 1975.

Mr. Marsh

I estimate that at least 2,000 million cubic feet a day could be produced from the North Sea by 1970 or soon after. It is too early to estimate how much could be produced by 1975, since this will depend on the results of further exploration.