asked Her Majesty's Government:

What measures they are taking to facilitate or promote the role of the market in using empty gas fields for inter-seasonal gas storage. [HL4174]

The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform is taking a number of measures to ensure that the UK has increased gas storage options, both onshore and offshore, for the future. There are now more than 10 gas storage projects in development, which, if all go forward according to schedule, could double UK gas storage capacity by 2012. The Government are also taking steps to improve and streamline the regulatory regimes for constructing gas storage and import facilities through the Planning and Energy Bills, now before Parliament. This will complement the UK petroleum licensing regime and allow for gas to be stored in depleted gas fields where technically and economically viable.