HC Deb 09 March 1978 vol 945 cc770-1W
Mr. Gordon Wilson

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many gas pipelines from North Sea northern basin deposits through Scotland are envisaged.

Dr. John Cunningham

The British Gas Corporation has laid two pipelines, a third is under construction, and a fourth is in the process of preliminary planning. The Corporation envisages that these pipelines will be adequate to transport the supplies of gas known and anticipated. In addition pipelines are planned from St. Fergus to the ethane cracker that Esso proposes to build at Mossmorran, and to Peterhead power station. However, these arc conditional upon the granting of the necessary pipeline authorisations.

Mr. Gordon Wilson

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will outline the routes and destinations of any projected gas pipelines and indicate the provisional times for the laying of these pipes.

Dr. John Cunningham

In consultation with local authorities the British Gas Corporation is currently planning a route for a fourth pipeline from the St. Fergus natural gas terminal. It is envisaged that the route will pass west of Aberdeen, east of Forfar and cross the Tay estuary east of Dundee. The line will continue to Bishop Auckland, Co. Durham, crossing the Forth estuary near North Berwick. The proposal is provisional only, and if it proceeds construction will not start before 1980. In addition, pipelines are planned from St. Fergus to the ethane cracker that Esso proposes to build at Mossmorran, and to Peterhead power station. However, these are conditional upon the granting of the necessary pipeline authorisations.

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