HC Deb 04 August 1976 vol 916 cc797-8W
Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether, in considering the relevant data for the Williams Mertz Study, the authors considered the economic viability of connecting Norwegian gas reserves to the proposed pipeline.

Dr. J. Dickson Mabon

The authors were, of course, aware that their cost calculations and recommendations on gas gathering systems would be affected if other sources of gas became available, whether from the Norwegian sector or from undiscovered fields in the United Kingdom sector. But neither the authors nor the Government had access to the relevant data on Norwegian gas reserves.

Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will set out, by field, the Norwegian reserves of natural gas which are proximate to the Williams Mertz pipeline systems.

Dr. J. Dickson Mabon

I am not responsible for Norwegian reserves of natural gas. Possible availabilities are, however, discussed in the Storting White Paper No. 90.