Cuadrilla green light for Blackpool shale site

The Environment Agency has given Cuadrilla permission to drill, hydraulically fracture and test the flow of gas from up to four exploration wells at its site at Preston New Road, in the Plumpton area of the Lancashire seaside town.

The local environment will be well protected throughout our proposed exploratory operations

Cuadrilla CEO Francis Egan

Cuadrilla first announced its plans for Preston New Road in February 2014, and the company’s chief executive Francis Egan said today’s granting of environmental permits was “an important seal of approval from the regulator that the exploration of shale gas can be done responsibly”.

“This follows a robust and rigorous review of our permit applications, and unequivocally demonstrates that, as we have committed, the local environment will be well protected throughout our proposed exploratory operations,” added Egan.

The environmental permits granted today set out the conditions Cuadrilla must follow to protect groundwater, surface water and air quality and to ensure the safe storage, management and disposal of waste.

The Environment Agency said it had over the last six months conducted “a rigorous assessment” of Cuadrilla’s applications and carried out two periods of extensive public consultation.

“After completing a rigorous assessment of Cuadrilla’s application and the public consultation responses, we are confident the permits issued will ensure people and the environment are protected,” said Environment Agency Lancashire Environment manager Steve Molyneux.

“The right controls are in place to manage waste and the flaring of gas safely, and protect local water resources. We value the feedback received during the public consultation and will continue to work with the local community. Should Cuadrilla begin exploration, we will ensure the permit conditions are enforced.”

Operations at Preston New Road would mark Cuadrilla’s return to the area following two minor earthquakes in Blackpool in 2011 that were blamed on the company’s fracking activities at its now-closed Preese Hall site. These earthquakes led the government to suspend all shale oil & gas development in the UK until December 2012.

As part of its planning application for the site, Cuadrilla has proposed to install a seismic array to monitor the hydraulic fracturing process.

Lancashire County Council is expected to make a final decision on Cuadrilla’s planning application for Preston New Road later this month.