§ Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions she has had with the governments of(a) Russia, (b) Algeria, (c) Qatar and (d) other countries, in connection with securing supplies of gas for importing to the UK; and if she will make a statement. [172545]
§ Mr. TimmsChapter six of the Energy White Paper clearly lays out our policy with regard to the security of gas supplies for the UK. Para 6.5 states
Our role is to continually monitor developments, and to create a competitive market place, including through good international relations, within which liberalised markets will deliver energy reliability.To this end my Ministers and officials have over the past year held a number of meetings with representatives of foreign governments.
On June 26 2003 during the State Visit of President Putin of Russia we held the "Russia UK Energy Conference: Long Term Partners" bringing together politicians, officials and the private sectors from both countries to discuss possible areas for energy cooperation. The event culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in which the UK and Russia agreed to work closely together on the North European Gas Pipeline. During the visit I met with Deputy Prime Minister Kudrin and discussed a wide range of matters.
This event was followed up by a UK Russia Energy Roundtable held in London on 3 March 2004 at which the public and private sectors of both the UK and Russia came together to share perspectives on the development of Russia's hydrocarbon reserves.
On 2 October 2003, I announced the agreement of the key principles of a Framework Agreement with Norway which will among other things govern the building of a pipeline to supply Norwegian gas from the Ormen Lange field to the UK. It is anticipated that the agreement itself will be complete by the end of 2004 and the pipeline will become operational by 2007.
On Thursday 26 February 2004 I met with Mr. Khelil, the Energy Minister of Algeria. The BP/Sonatrach joint venture aimed at bringing new supplies of LNG to the UK was among other matters discussed
On Wednesday 10 March 2004 I met with the Qatari Minister of Energy H.E. Abdullah Hamad Al Attiyah. The possibility of Exxon Mobil supplying Qatari LNG to the UK on a long-term contract was amongst other matters discussed.
I will lead a British Government delegation to the International Energy Forum to be held in Amsterdam from May 22 to 24 2004. This is a major opportunity for discussion on oil and gas security issues both on a bilateral and multilateral basis with representatives of key producing states.