Written question asked by Ann Winterton (Conservative) on Tuesday, 16 July 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 24 July 2002. It was answered by Brian Wilson (Labour) on Wednesday, 24 July 2002 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what proposals her Department has to encourage oil and gas companies to utilise existing offshore gas reservoirs for re-injected gas storage; and if she will make a statement.

Answer: Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals her Department has to encourage oil and gas companies to utilise existing offshore gas reservoirs for re-injected gas storage; and if she will make a statement. [71468] Mr. Wilson: Making such proposals is a commercial matter for the oil and gas companies; the Department stands ready to assess such proposals for the purpose of issuing the necessary consents, notably production licences and pipe-line authorisations. Meanwhile the Department and Ofgem are ensuring industry and public awareness of the case for additional gas storage facilities, whether offshore or onshore, through the work of the Joint Energy Security of Supply Working Group (JESS). JESS's first report, published in June, noted that there is uncertainty about the adequacy of gas supplies to meet demand from consumers during a period of sustained peak demand from about 2004-05, and that additional infrastructure (including gas storage) may be the most efficient way of ensuring security of supply.

Secondary information