§ Mr. Hardyasked the Secretary of State for Energy when he now expects oil and gas production from the North Sea to reach its maximum level; and for how long he expects that level to be maintained.
§ Mr. GrayEconomic, technical and commercial considerations will all influence the rate of North Sea oil production but, on present estimates, we expect production to reach a peak in the mid 1980s and to30W continue at high levels until at least the early 1990s. The level of gas production will depend on the response of the market to the proposed measures to introduce competition into that market. But I am satisfied that existing levels of consumption can be sustained from natural gas supplies until around the same period.