Shale Gas in Somerset

Eden Energy and UK Methane Ltd. hope to find shale gas in Somerset, England.

Granted the right in 2008 to search for oil and gas across 700 square kilometres, the two companies have been carrying out experimental work in the Mendip Hills, a range of limestone hills to the south of Bristol and Bath.

Gregory Solomon, chairman of Eden, said last week: "This could well become a truly enormous project.

"All we have to do is show that we can get the gas out of the ground, which we are confident that we will be able to do."

"If the mineral drilling proves positive then there could be fracking (hydraulic fracturing) if we went for shale gas extraction,” said Gerwyn Williams, UK Methane director.

"I know there's been a lot of controversy over fracking shales," commented Williams,  "It is all very, very strictly governed. We wouldn't be allowed to do anything that wasn't safe.

"There could be gas resources that do not require fracking, it's only by drilling the exploration holes that we will be able to determine what is or isn't there."

Both Eden Energy and UK Methane have government licences to test drill on the Mendip Hills but now need to apply for planning permission.

UK Methane said any work would have a minimal impact on the surrounding landscape.

Mr Williams said any initial drilling would last six or seven weeks, with any further, deeper work taking around four months with most of the work being carried out below ground.

Wells MP Tessa Munt is concerned about the possibility of fracking being carried out in Somerset. She said: "There has to be a lot more information about this process before it went ahead. I would urge caution, caution, caution. There would have to be a very good reason to go ahead with it."

Source: This is Somerset