Cuadrilla plans more shale gas drilling

Drilling firm Cuadrilla Resources hopes to frack for shale gas at six new sites in Lancashire near Blackpool (pictured). Giving another sign that it wants to gear up its activity, […]

Drilling firm Cuadrilla Resources hopes to frack for shale gas at six new sites in Lancashire near Blackpool (pictured).

Giving another sign that it wants to gear up its activity, the firm announced today it will “over time” apply for consent to drill, hydraulically fracture and test the gas flow at up to six new temporary exploration well sites in the Fylde.

Cuadrilla will also apply for planning consent to hydraulically fracture and test the shale at its existing exploration well at Grange Hill. Engineering consultancy Arup will carry out Environmental Impact Assessments for each planning application.

Testing at a further three more sites for research purposes feature in the firm’s plans.

Last week the British Geological Survey and Department of Energy and Climate Change said there could be trillions more cubic feet of gas than previously expected.

British Gas owner Centrica seems to sense an opportunity in Lancashire’s shale gas reserves, recently snapping up a stake in Cuadrilla’s licences to drill.

Francis Egan, Cuadrilla’s chief executive said: “The purpose of all our ongoing exploratory work is to demonstrate that natural gas can be produced from the shale in commercial quantities… together with our new partners at Centrica Energy, we are committed to doing this transparently, safely and sensibly.”

Latest Podcast