§ Mr. Douglasasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give estimates of the number of work programmes yet to be completed under the third and fourth round of licences for the United Kingdom Continental Shelf and the operating companies involved.
§ Mr. Tom BoardmanUnder the third and fourth rounds of licensing 129 work programmes remain to be completed. The list of operating companies involved is lengthy. I will send this to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. Douglasasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give an estimate of the flows of gas, independent and associated, expected from the northern sector of the United Kingdom Continental Shelf, from fields already drilled, the anticipated dates of productive flows, and where possible the industrial, commercial and domestic uses to which the gas is to be put.
§ Mr. Tom BoardmanThe estimates of production reserves, last reported to Parliament in May, are currently under review. A further report will be made when the review has been completed. The uses to which the gas will be put will depend on the timing and quantity as well as the price. The current BGC marketing policy is to sell as much gas as possible in the premium markets with 251W some sales for bulk heat purposes where this is necessary to match supply and demand.