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Fracking sites announced by Cuadrilla in Lancashire Fracking sites announced by Cuadrilla in Lancashire
(35 minutes later)
Cuadrilla, one of the energy firms hoping to exploit the UK's shale gas resources, has announced two new exploration sites in Lancashire.Cuadrilla, one of the energy firms hoping to exploit the UK's shale gas resources, has announced two new exploration sites in Lancashire.
The company said it intends to apply for planning permission to drill and frack at sites in Roseacre Wood and Preston New Road. The company says it intends to apply for planning permission to drill and frack at two sites at Elswick and Little Plumpton near Blackpool.
It said local residents were being consulted on the plans.It said local residents were being consulted on the plans.
A small number of companies are currently exploring for shale gas in locations across the UK.A small number of companies are currently exploring for shale gas in locations across the UK.
The British Geological Survey estimates there may be 1,300 trillion cubic feet of shale gas present in the north of England alone.The British Geological Survey estimates there may be 1,300 trillion cubic feet of shale gas present in the north of England alone.
But fracking is controversial, and campaigners have raised concerns over its environmental impact.
"The company intends to apply for planning permission to drill, hydraulically fracture and test the flow of gas from up to four exploration wells on each of the sites," Cuadrilla said in a statement."The company intends to apply for planning permission to drill, hydraulically fracture and test the flow of gas from up to four exploration wells on each of the sites," Cuadrilla said in a statement.
Francis Egan, Cuadrilla chief executive, said the company had decided to focus on just two sites in the Lancashire area to reduce the impact on the local area, while allowing it to find out how much gas can be recovered from the ground below. Francis Egan, Cuadrilla chief executive, said the company had decided to focus on just two sites in Lancashire to reduce the impact on the local area, while allowing it to find out how much gas can be recovered from the ground below.
"We're committed to being a good neighbour and to talking with the community at every stage of the process." "We're committed to being a good neighbour and to talking with the community at every stage of the process," he added.
Fracking is controversial, as campaigners have raised concerns over the environmental impact of the process, which involves forcing water, chemicals and sand into rock to extract gas. Fracking plans have prompted local protests at other sites.
There are concerns that the process, which involves pumping water, sand and chemicals into rock to force out the gas, could lead to earth tremors or affect water supplies.
Cuadrilla said separate applications were being made to install seismic monitoring equipment in Lancashire to monitor the effects of the fracking process.
It is also giving £100,000 to the local community for each well drilled.
The UK's nascent shale gas industry is still at the exploration stage.
But energy companies hope large reserves of shale gas could revolutionise the energy industry as it did in the United States.
Cuadrilla's latest planned exploration will be party funded by Centrica - the energy giant behind British Gas. It owns a 25% stake in Cuadrilla's operations in the region.