INEOS granted permit for exploratory borehole in South Yorkshire

An environmental permit has been granted to INEOS to drill an exploratory borehole at a site in South Yorkshire. It comes after a similar licence was given by the Environment Agency to allow it to drill at a site in Derbyshire earlier this month. The ‘Standard Rules’ permit allows the company to carry out drilling […]

Energy firm wins Surrey oil drilling appeal

An energy firm has been given the green light to carry out exploratory oil drilling in Surrey. Europa Oil & Gas had appealed against Surrey County Council’s decision not to grant permission to drill in Holmwood. The government’s Planning Inspectorate has now given permission for the project. Europa said the decision allows the firm to drill […]

Greenpeace activists occupy Shell’s oil rig

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Shell files revised plans to drill in Arctic

Royal Dutch Shell has submitted revised proposals to the US Government to try and explore for oil in the Alaskan Arctic. It consists of two drilling rigs working simultaneously in the Chukchi Sea, which is expected to produce more than 400,000 barrels of oil per day. The work, which has had opposition from environmentalists, was […]

Greenpeace brands Russia’s piracy allegations as ‘desperate’

Greenpeace International has dismissed new charges of piracy by Russian authorities, branding them a “desperate attempt” to justify what the group calls “the illegal boarding” of its ship in international waters. The Russian Coast Guard boarded the environmental group’s ship ‘Arctic Sunrise’ last Thursday and “held the people on board at gunpoint” following what Greenpeace […]

Shale gas exploitation could ‘rebalance UK economy’

The exploitation of shale gas resources in the UK could help boost the nation’s economy. That’s according to UK engineers who claims around 4,200 jobs could be created every year over a ten-year drill programme. Dr Tim Fox, Head of Energy and Environment at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers said: “Shale gas has the potential […]

Is Shale gas safe?

How safe is drilling for Shale gas?