Cuadrilla suspends Blackpool drilling following quake

CUADRILLA Resources, the company drilling for shale gas near Blackpool, has suspended its activities following a minor earthquake.

The British Geological Survey (BGS) said the 1.5 magnitude quake on Friday was similar to a 2.3 earthquake in April and they may be linked to Cuadrilla’s activities at Preese Hall near Weeton.

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 “fracking” which involves pumping fluid, largely composed of millions of gallons of water and sand, under high pressure to open up millimeter sized gaps or cracks in shale rock formations.

Cuadrilla said it had suspended drilling as a precaution and it will examine data collected by the British Geological Survey before resuming.

Chief executive Mark Miller told the BBC: “We take our responsibilities very seriously and that is why we have stopped fracking operations to share information and consult with the relevant authorities and other experts.

“We expect that this analysis and subsequent consultation will take a number of weeks to conclude and we will decide on appropriate actions after that.”

Referring to the two earthquakes Brian Baptie of the British Geological Survey (BGS) told the Independent: “The timing of these two events in conjunction with the ongoing fracking at the site suggests that they may be related.”

The Staffordshire-based firm has been carrying out exploratory drilling at Preese Hall and a location near Westby. The process of extracting shale gas was pioneered in the US where it has been criticised for its alleged impact on the environment, particularly on the quality of water. Critics claim the process can cause methane to leak into the water table.

Last month a House of Commons energy select committee backed the process arguing that regulation and good practice would prevent similar problems in the UK.