Sir, - With reference to the letter regarding the price of natural gas (June 22nd) Bord Gais is now sourcing an increasing amount of gas for Irish consumers from the North Sea through the undersea gas interconnector pipeline to the UK. In 1997, 31 per cent of our natural gas requirements were imported. At the moment in the region of 50 per cent is being imported and by the end of the year the figure will be higher still. The reason for this is the decline in gas supplies from the Kinsale Head gas field off the south coast of Ireland. The interconnector to the UK ensures continuity and security of gas supplies.
The energy content or calorific value of North Sea gas is greater than Kinsale gas, i.e. a lesser volume is required for the same energy output. It has therefore been necessary for Bord Gais to introduce an adjustable system for measuring the energy content of gas supplied to customers receiving North Sea gas or a mixture of North Sea and Kinsale Head gas.
There are monitors on the gas piping system constantly recording the calorific value of the gas. The method of measuring calorific value has changed to reflect the varying energy content of the gas thus ensuring that customers are billed on the basis of energy consumed. This is standard practice in countries that use gas from different sources with variable energy contents.
Your correspondent, Mr Shankey, is referring to this change. It is a change in the method of measurement of the energy content of gas and not a price change. The reference to the boiler is based on the fact that boilers can be regulated by thermostat whereas other appliances, such as gas fires are not.
Bord Gais has not increased gas prices since 1986 and is committed to maintaining prices at current levels. - Yours, etc., Miriam Farrelly,
Public Relations Manager, Bord Gais,
Little Island,
Co Cork.