Cuadrilla to Expand UK Shale Activities
Planners at Lancashire County Council approved a application by Cuadrilla Resources to construct a 29m-high drilling platform in a field at Westby, east of Blackpool, and carry out tests for up to six weeks.
This would be Cuadrilla's second shale gas well, 4.5 miles south of the Preese Hall Farm site on which the company commenced operations this past July.
The application made for planning permission indicates that:
"The borehole would be drilled to a depth of approximately 3505 metres (11500 ft.) below ordnance datum. The drilling operation would be undertaken 24 hours per day, 7 days per week over a period of five to six weeks. The drilling rig would be approximately 29m high. Following the completion of the borehole, a period of testing during normal daytime hours would be undertaken to detect the presence of hydrocarbons."
The development site is within the Lytham Moss proposed biological heritage site and the council concedes Cuadrilla's plans could have an impact on Whooper Swans. Residents have also expressed concerns about traffic and noise from the site which will be in operation 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
In a report prepared ahead of yesterday's meeting planning officers said: "The development would be of a temporary nature and the impacts of noise, traffic, light pollution and visual impact would be controlled to acceptable levels."
"The site would be restored to its former character and therefore the development is considered acceptable in terms of landscape impacts and there would be no adverse impacts on the proposed Biological Heritage Site."
Lichfield, Staffordshire based Cuadrilla, is targeting shale gas trapped 10,000 feet below the surface in the Bowland shale which runs from Pendle Hill near Preston to the Irish Sea. The company believes Lancashire could potentially provide up to 10% of the UK's gas supply.
The company was was formed in September 2007. Led by Chris Cornelius and Dennis Carlton, shareholders include Australian engineering infrastructure, building construction and drilling services company AJ Lucas Group and a group of energy-focused private equity funds managed by Riverstone LLC .
Riverstone is an energy joint venture partner of The Carlyle Group, a politically connected private equity underwriter. Lord Browne of Madingley, the former BP chief executive, is Managing Director at Riverstone Holdings.
Source: The News Desk and NGFE archives