§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy how many companies wish to utilise natural gas liquids derived from the North Sea in United Kingdom facilities; and how he proposes to allocate supplies among existing petrochemical facilities and new projects.
§ Mr. GraySeven companies have indicated particular interest in using NGLs for petrochemical purposes, but natural gas liquids from the North Sea can also be used for many energy purposes. I have no powers to allocate supplies of natural gas liquids except when an Order in Council under section 3 of the Energy Act 1976 is in force.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy if, based on the known availability of North Sea natural gas liquids he will estimate how much ethane crackers and of what capacity the feedstock will accommodate.
§ Mr. GrayEthane supplies from the United Kingdom continental shelf not included in the British Gas Corporation's specification gas are estimated to increase to some 2 million tons a year at the end 631W of this decade. That would be sufficient to supply the cracker planned for construction at Moss Morren and two others of the same size.