UK Gas-Firing Up, Even in Thin 3Q
UK gas demand in 3Q 2016 of 140.5 TWh (13bn m3) was 3.5% higher year on year, according to latest government data from the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (Beis). Gas demand in the UK is seasonal, peaking in 1Q annually, and is at its lowest in 3Q.
Power generators' use of gas increased significantly to 68.2 TWh (6.3bn m3), up 23% year on year, while use by residential, other industry, and other final users declined by 21%, 4.7% and 9.3% respectively due to the warmer weather.
Coal’s share of UK generation fell from 16.7% in 3Q 2015 to 3.6% in 3Q 2016, whilst gas’ share of generation increased from 34.8% to 43.6%. That's broadly the level achieved by gas-firing in 2Q 2016 too.
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Carrington gas-fired CCGT plant near Manchester started generating commercially this September (Photo credit: Ireland's ESB)
UK gross gas production in 3Q 2016 of 113 TWh (10.5bn m3) was 10.8% higher year on year, with gas associated with oil production up 25% while dry gas was down 14.4%. Production from the new Laggan gas field and continued strong production across much of the UK’s continental shelf helped.
Net gas imports decreased by 35%, due to strong indigenous production and a reduced stock build due to closure of the Rough offshore storage facility for maintenance.
Imports in 3Q 2016 were down 14.9%, with the lion’s share from Norway down by 20%. Most UK LNG imports were from Qatar (91% in 3Q 2016) yet Qatari imports fell by 14% relative to 3Q 2015.
Exports increased by 4.6%. Reloads of LNG cargoes were substantially higher, up over 300%, but at 3 TWh (0.3bn m3) still accounted for only 7% of gas exports in 3Q 2016. Exports by pipe to the Irish Republic were 41% lower year on year, due to the production from its Corrib gas field that started producing a year ago. Exports were 18.8% higher to Belgium (via Interconnector) but were 22% lower (via the BBL pipe) to the Netherlands.
Beis also published estimates of how many households in Britain are, and aren't, connected to the gas grid.
The figures, gathered from local authorities in Great Britain (so excluding Northern Ireland), indicate there are 25,739,000 households in Britain, of which 23.395mn are connected to gas mains and consequently that 2.344mn (or 9.1% of the total) are not. The proportion not connected is highest in Scotland at 16%, which compares to Wales on 14.4%, whereas in England it is only 8.8%.
Mark Smedley