§ Sir R. Russellasked the Minister of Power what estimate he has made of the geological implications of extracting gas from under the bed of the North Sea.
§ Mr. FreesonI assume the hon. Member has in mind the possibility of subsidence of the sea bed after the gas has been extracted. Although subsidence is known to occur in certain parts of the world as a result of the extraction of hydrocarbons this is rare and is linked with production from geologically young and poorly consolidated formations.
The gas discoveries to date in the North Sea come from old and consolidated strata and subsidence following extraction can be discounted.