The UK government has given the go-ahead for four exploratory shale gas wells to be drilled in north-west England, overruling a decision by the local council to refuse consent.Cuadrilla Resources had applied for planning permission to drill the two wells at its Preston New Road site in Lancashire and appealed the council’s decision to refuse consent.
Communities Secretary Sajid Javid has ruled that the wells should be allowed, paving the way for the first horizontal shale wells in the UK to be drilled.
The exploratory wells will enable Cuadrilla to determine if the shale gas resources are economically viable and further characterise the reservoir. The company is also seeking permission to drill similar wells at another site in Lancashire.
Opponents of the scheme are concerned about the environmental impact of fracking – the method used to extract shale gas from horizontal wells. Greenpeace said the decision was “fudged” and called into question the government’s commitment to the Paris climate agreement.
“[Prime Minister] Theresa May cannot build a 21st-century industrial strategy on a polluting and inexperienced fracking sector that won’t deliver for years, if ever,” said Greenpeace campaigner Hannah Martin. “If the PM wants to promote an affordable and fair energy system whilst bolstering business growth and job creation, renewable and smart energy technologies are the way to go.”
The Institute of Mechanical Engineers said that the decision was “a step in the right direction” but warned that “fracking alone is not the solution to meeting the UK's future energy demands”.
“The fact that thousands of objections have been lodged about the plans shows that there is a lot more work that needs to be done by engineering institutions, oil and gas companies and others in favour of trials like this to engage the public,” said Dr Jenifer Baxter, Head of Energy and Environment at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. “Hydraulic fracturing (fracking) of rock for shale gas extraction is new to the UK and we need to progress step by step to ensure that it can be exploited safely and economically here.
“All parties need to gain experience together and build trust. Only then can local authorities and communities make informed decisions based on real data for their locality.”
