Cuadrilla rejects Co-op’s shale gas claims
THE company planning to drill for shale gas in Lancashire has issued a statement rejecting the Co-op’s claims there should be a moratorium on the extraction of the gas until more is known about its impact on the environment.
A report commissioned by the Co-op, carried out by Manchester University-based Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, suggested chemicals used in the extraction process at US sites are toxic or cause cancer and there is a risk of groundwater contamination.
Cuadrilla Resources, an energy company backed by former BP chief executive Lord Browne, has been carrying out exploratory drilling for shale gas at two sites near Blackpool. The Staffordshire-based company said there was “no case” for a moratorium because it uses “proven and long-standing technology”.
The company’s Mark Miller said: “We have received full local and national approvals from all the appropriate bodies including the Department of Energy & Climate Change and the Health & Safety Executive to explore for natural gas at each of our sites. We will continue to work closely with all the local and national bodies overseeing and regulating our activities in the UK.
He added: “We are confident that no issues will occur in our activity in the North West of England which would cause any local or national concerns on which to base the introduction of a moratorium on on-shore gas drilling activity.” Cuadrilla said it was not approached by the Tyndall Centre and did not have an opportunity to see the report until Sunday night.
The company is targeting shale gas trapped 10,000 feet below the surface in the Bowland shale which runs from Pendle Hill near Preston to the Irish Sea. To release the gas it uses a process called “fracing” which involves pumping fluid, largely composed of water and sand, under high pressure to open up millimeter sized gaps or cracks in shale rock formations.
It uses 99.85% water and sand with the balance composed of a friction reducing compound it says is found in soil sealant at construction sites, and a mildly acidic compound used in many household applications including bleach and other cleaning fluids.
