§ Mr. Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Energy what was the quantity of gas flared off in the North sea in 1984, 1983, 1982 and 1981.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithThe quantity of gas flared in the North sea during the last four years is as follows: 427W
(million cubic metres/day) Year Gas flared 1981 11.54 1982 11.09 1983 9.67 1984 8.65 Over the same period, production of oil has increased by over 40 per cent. from 89.4 million tonnes to 125.9 million tonnes.
§ Mr. Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will give renewed consideration to a gas-gathering project for the North sea to collect some of the gas currently flared.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithSubstantial progress is already being made within the offshore industry in reducing levels of gas flaring, through reinjection, piping gas to shore in solution with oil, improvements in the design and efficiency of plant and through construction of gas gathering schemes. All these contribute significantly to the Government's objective of securing maximum economic recovery of reserves. We shall continue to pursue vigorously that objective.