Expert says Lancaster is next on fracking list

Fracking will come to Lancaster if commercial quantities of gas are present at another site in Lancashire, an expert has warned.
Handout photo from Cuadrilla showing the drilling rig at Preston New Road shale gas exploration site, as the energy firm said it had "very encouraging" early results from its shale gas exploration site in Lancashire. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Friday January 12, 2018. The company said a pilot well drilled down 2.7km (1.7 miles) at Preston New Road, in Fylde, had been completed and core samples showed the rock was suitable for hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. See PA story ENERGY Fracking. Photo credit should read: Dave Thompson/PA Wire

NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.Handout photo from Cuadrilla showing the drilling rig at Preston New Road shale gas exploration site, as the energy firm said it had "very encouraging" early results from its shale gas exploration site in Lancashire. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Friday January 12, 2018. The company said a pilot well drilled down 2.7km (1.7 miles) at Preston New Road, in Fylde, had been completed and core samples showed the rock was suitable for hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. See PA story ENERGY Fracking. Photo credit should read: Dave Thompson/PA Wire

NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
Handout photo from Cuadrilla showing the drilling rig at Preston New Road shale gas exploration site, as the energy firm said it had "very encouraging" early results from its shale gas exploration site in Lancashire. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Friday January 12, 2018. The company said a pilot well drilled down 2.7km (1.7 miles) at Preston New Road, in Fylde, had been completed and core samples showed the rock was suitable for hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. See PA story ENERGY Fracking. Photo credit should read: Dave Thompson/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.

Mike Hill, a Chartered Engineer and leading expert on fracking, said that parts of the district will be next on the fracking list if oil and gas company Cuadrilla is able to extract commercial quantities of gas at Preston New Road, near Blackpool, as is currently being predicted.

He claims Lancaster could expect to have approximately 500 fracking wells.

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Mr Hill, who has contributed to major reports, parliamentary committees and European conferences on the subject, is presenting a public talk on Tuesday February 6 at Lancaster Town Hall to provide further details.

The Petroleum Exploration Development License (PEDL) covers much of the Lancaster districtThe Petroleum Exploration Development License (PEDL) covers much of the Lancaster district
The Petroleum Exploration Development License (PEDL) covers much of the Lancaster district

A Petroleum Exploration Development License (PEDL 263) has already been sold to Warwick Energy.

The PEDL covers much of the south and eastern parts of the Lancaster district, including Cockerham, Galgate, Glasson Dock, Dolphinholme, Quernmore and the Forest of Bowland, and reaches as far north as Lancaster University, Bailrigg and Scotforth.

Because of the potential for drilling up to a mile horizontally under the ground, the license also comes close to the Hala and Bowerham areas of the city.

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Mr Hill said: “There are many questions being asked about the process, how are the wells drilled and fracked, what protection we have, what regulations are in force, how will they be enforced and monitored, and what are the consequences for those who live here, and our air and water.

The Petroleum Exploration Development License (PEDL) covers much of the Lancaster districtThe Petroleum Exploration Development License (PEDL) covers much of the Lancaster district
The Petroleum Exploration Development License (PEDL) covers much of the Lancaster district

“The meeting will focus on providing facts, not presenting opinion.

“This is a vital issue for our county.”

He said that there is an urgent need for public information, as Cuadrilla has now reached the horizontal drilling stage at the Preston New Road site.

The firm’s CEO has stated that commercial quantities of gas are present.

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Exploration licences have also been sold for several other sites in Lancashire, including Roseacre Wood in Halsall near Ormskirk.

There have been ongoing protests in Preston New Road since the work on the site began.

Everyone is welcome to attend the event, which will include a history of fracking so far, and a question and answer session, and will start at 7.30pm.

Entry is free and there will be a collection to cover costs.

The event is being hosted by Transition City Lancaster.

For more information visit the Transition City Lancaster webpage HERE