Cuadrilla can carry on fracking, says DECC

CUADRILLA Resources is set to be given the go-ahead to continue its shale gas exploration in Lancashire, with strict measures attached to mitigate the risk of further earthquakes.

A Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) report due to be published today will confirm the minor earthquakes which took place in April and May last year were caused by ‘fracking’ (hydraulic fracturing) carried out by Cuadrilla to access shale gas from fields at Preese Hall, near Blackpool.

However, it will recommended that Cuadrilla’s activities can go ahead with a monitoring system in place that includes a “traffic light control” regime. This would mean that once seismic activity reached a level of 0.5 or above the company would have to stop fracking and make sure remedial action is taken.

It also states that Cuadrilla should carry out a smaller pre-injection and monitoring stage before fracking and that a monitoring system should be in place to

DECC’s Chief Scientific Advisor David MacKay said: “If shale gas is to be part of the UK’s energy mix, we need to have a good understanding of its potential environmental impacts and what can be done to mitigate those impacts.

“This comprehensive independent expert review of Cuadrilla’s evidence suggests a set of robust measures to make sure future seismic risks are minimised – not just at this location but at any other potential sites across the UK.”

The Government is carrying out a consultation exercise and inviting comment from interested parties from a six-week period beginning today. It said that all comments received would be considered before any decision is taken on allowing further fracking for shale gas.

The invitation for comment runs for six weeks from today. All comments received will be considered and taken into account before any decision is taken on further fracking for shale gas.

The CBI has welcomed publication of the Government’s report. Its director for business environment, Rhian Kelly, said: “The Government has signalled that gas should play a big part in moving to a low-carbon economy, so it makes sense to explore new gas sources here, rather than increasingly depend on sources from elsewhere in the world.

“Provided safety standards are observed, shale gas could unlock significant new infrastructure investments, help meet our carbon reduction goals and create many new jobs around the UK.”