This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/mar/24/uk-gas-supply-pressure-eased

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
UK gas supply pressure eased with arrival of tanker from Qatar UK gas supply pressure eased with arrival of tanker from Qatar
(about 2 hours later)
The pressure put on the UK's energy supplies by the current cold weather have eased with the arrival in port of a large gas tanker from Qatar docked, another shipment due on Monday and two more later in the week. The pressure put on the UK's energy supplies by the current cold weather with the arrival in port of a lhave easedarge gas tanker from Qatar. Another shipment is due on Monday and two more later in the week, assuaging concerns about Britain's depleting gas reserves.
Concerns were raised over Britain's rapidly depleting gas reserves as the unseasonal cold snap unexpectedly increased demand for heating and electricity. The government moved to reassure households that there was no danger of shortages, but the energy regulator and the National Grid are monitoring the situation closely. As the unseasonal cold snap increased demand for heating and electricity, the government moved to reassure people that there would be no danger of shortages, and that the energy regulator and the National Grid are closely monitoring the situation. John Hayes, the energy minister, said: "The UK's gas needs continue to be met. We get our supplies from a diverse range of sources and the market is proving highly responsive to the UK's needs."
John Hayes, the energy minister, said: "The UK gas needs continue to be met. We get our supplies from a diverse range of sources and the market is proving highly responsive to the UK's needs." Concerns were raised on Thursday when it emerged that Britain only had enough gas in storage to meet two days' demand. As the UK receives gas from pipelines in mainland Europe, there was no immediate danger of running out, but the situation was growing tight.
Concerns were raised on Thursday when it emerged that Britain only had enough gas in storage to meet two days of demand. As the UK receives gas via pipelines from other parts of Europe, there was no imminent danger of running out, but the situation was growing increasingly tight. Then on Friday, one of the key pipelines – from Belgium – was suddenly shut down after a component failed. The pipeline was back in operation later that afternoon, but not before gas had doubled in price on the UK's energy markets.
Then on Friday, one of the key pipelines – from Belgium - was suddenly shut down after a component failed. The pipeline was back in operation later that afternoon, but not before gas had doubled in price on the UK's energy markets. The price fell back again, leaving no lasting impact on consumer bills, but the incident highlighted Britain's dependence on imported gas. It also called into question the government's strategy of a "dash for gas" that would make the fuel more dominant in the energy mix.
The price later fell back again, leaving no lasting impact on consumer bills, but the incident highlighted Britain's dependence on imported gas, which can be highly volatile in price. It also called into question the government's strategy of a "dash for gas" that would make the fuel even more dominant in the energy mix. Angela Knight, chief executive of Energy UK, the body that represents energy companies, said: "This focuses attention on energy security, and that is very important. We need to ensure that energy is secure and comes from a diverse mix of sources."
Angela Knight, the chief executive Energy UK, the body that represents energy companies, said: "This focuses attention on energy security, and that is very important. We need to ensure that energy is secure and comes from a diverse mix of sources." She said the three key aspects of energy policy were affordability, the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions and the security of supply, but that in recent years the latter had often been overlooked.
She said the three key planks of energy policy were affordability, the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions and security of supply, but that in recent years the latter had often been overlooked. Hayes said the weekend shipment, combined with pipeline imports and North Sea production, supplied more gas than was needed. This surplus has enabled some storage sites to be replenished, cushioning demand in the coming days.
Hayes said the weekend tanker shipment, combined with pipeline imports and North Sea production, supplied more gas than was immediately needed. This temporary surplus enabled some storage sites to be replenished, giving a small cushion against any further demand increases or other problems in the coming days.
National Grid has not yet been obliged to use any of its emergency powers to cut gas to industry and redirect it to consumers. Ofgem, the energy regulator, said: "While gas supplies are tight at the moment and there is no room for complacency, Britain does benefit from a diverse range of gas supplies and National Grid has many tools to manage the system and to prevent householders' supplies from being disrupted."National Grid has not yet been obliged to use any of its emergency powers to cut gas to industry and redirect it to consumers. Ofgem, the energy regulator, said: "While gas supplies are tight at the moment and there is no room for complacency, Britain does benefit from a diverse range of gas supplies and National Grid has many tools to manage the system and to prevent householders' supplies from being disrupted."
Hayes said: "We are never complacent, but National Grid are confident that the situation is stable and as expected."Hayes said: "We are never complacent, but National Grid are confident that the situation is stable and as expected."
Green campaigners said that an over-reliance on gas was exposing households to volatile international markets in the fuel, and a dependence on imports that could easily be disrupted. Although the UK has built new infrastructure in recent years to increase the amount of liquefied natural gas that can be shipped and stored here, the supply from Qatar – the biggest exporter of the fuel – is likely to become more expensive as expanding developing economies soak up more of the available supply.Green campaigners said that an over-reliance on gas was exposing households to volatile international markets in the fuel, and a dependence on imports that could easily be disrupted. Although the UK has built new infrastructure in recent years to increase the amount of liquefied natural gas that can be shipped and stored here, the supply from Qatar – the biggest exporter of the fuel – is likely to become more expensive as expanding developing economies soak up more of the available supply.