Barrow gas fracking worries eased
Last updated at 16:33, Friday, 25 January 2013
CONCERNS that a controversial gas recovery method could be used in South Cumbria have been allayed.
Giving a lecture on hydraulic fracturing – known as fracking – in Barrow, industry expert Dr Peter Turner said there were no plans to carry out use the process in the area.
Exploration consultant Dr Turner is a founder member of Cuadrilla Resources, which has a licence to explore for and recover natural gas reserves using fracking in Bowland, Lancashire.
Cuadrilla’s fracking work on the Fylde Coast was halted in 2011 after some minor tremors at Preece Hall, near Blackpool, were attributed to test wells drilled by the independent UK company. Further controversy arose in December, when the company was given the go-ahead to carry out work in Banks, between Preston and Southport, and Westby, near Lytham St Annes.
The Evening Mail reported earlier this month how Nigel Smith, who works for the British Geological Survey, wrote that high organic carbon in rock samples in the Gleaston area – coupled with existing gas infrastructure – could make South Cumbria attractive to prospective exploration firms.
But Dr Turner told the 150 people at the lecture in the main hall at The Forum, Barrow, on Wednesday night: “I’m not in a position to comment on where Cuadrilla goes from here, but it’s sufficient to say the area we have in the Bowland licence is pretty much to keep anybody busy for quite a long time and you can read what you will into that.”
Fracking is the process of creating fractures in rock formations to release the natural gas trapped inside.
During his presentation – an event which had been organised by the South Cumbria branch of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers – Dr Turner said lessons had been learnt from the mistakes at Preece Hall and outlined the detailed safety measures taken.
He described how the industry was changing the USA economy “significantly” and indirectly changing the UK economy because it was forcing down the price of oil.
He said Cuadrilla would only carry out fracking anywhere with what he called “a social licence to operate”.
“We fully engage with stakeholders, local communities and local people,” said Dr Turner.
“It’s absolutely essential. If it doesn’t happen, these resources will not be utilised.”
He added: “Cuadrilla and other operators are not trying to hoodwink anybody or hide anything.
“And they’re certainly not trying to rape and pillage the landscape and run off with all the money.”
First published at 16:20, Friday, 25 January 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk
LOL, No of course you're not going to do that Pete, LOL Much. LOL Does he think that we are comforted by this twaddle. What are these people like eh?
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Posted by REAF on 26 January 2013 at 13:59