Norway Opened New Pipeline, UK Stocks Boosted

UK commercial stocks of natural gas have today been boosted with the opening of a new pipeline from Norway.

Supplies were being received from the North Sea at a terminal at Easington in East Yorkshire.

The Langeled pipeline, which was opened up for commercial deliveries today, could meet 20% of the UK's gas demand this winter and will make Norway a key source of gas for the UK for many years.

One day's gas supply through the pipeline could meet the total needs of around 10 houses for nearly 400 years.

Langeled is the biggest of a number of new import projects currently being developed to ensure the UK can meet its supply needs now that it is a net importer of gas.