Cuadrilla Takes Seasonal Break

UK shale gas explorer Cuadrilla said December 18 it is de-mobilising hydraulic fracturing (fracking) equipment from its exploration site but that it will return early in 2019. 

CEO Francis Egan said in the statement: "In 2019 we look forward to completing the next phase of hydraulic fracturing and continue to flow test the gas recovered." He added that in recent weeks Cuadrilla had "repeatedly seen natural gas flowing back to surface" along with water injected during fracking "and this flow of gas is in fact earlier than expected. "

Replying to NGW, Cuadrilla said Dec.19 that equipment used to hydraulically fracture at its Preston New Road shale exploration site in northwest England has been demobilised and there would be no fracking until its scheduled return in the New Year.

Since it resumed fracking in mid-October in the area, after a gap of seven years, Cuadrilla has not in any case fracked on Saturday afternoons, Sundays and public holidays - so its decision to demobilise the equipment is seen as giving its staff, contractors and neighbours a seasonal break for the rest of the month; Jan.1 2019 is also a public holiday in England.

Its fracking from October 15 until Dec.14 caused 57 micro-tremors, the vast majority too small to be felt. However one induced on Dec.11 was a 1.5 magnitude tremor and felt in nearby Blackpool. Cuadrilla's current planning permission includes fracking of the two existing wells at Preston New Road and completion of up to four wells in total for exploration purposes.