Business leaders welcome first shale gas at Cuadrilla site

Business leaders have welcomed news that Cuadrilla has started producing the first shale gas from its fracking site in Lancashire.

The company issued a statement saying it was a “significant and indicative of the potential of the shale”.

Chief executive Francis Egan added: “The volumes of gas returning to surface at this stage are small.

“However, considering that we are only at the very start of fracturing operations and, given operating constraints, have not yet been able to inject as much sand into the shale as we had planned, this is a good early indication of the gas potential that we have long talked about.”

Responding to the announcement by Cuadrilla earlier today, Babs Murphy, chief executive of the North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, said: “This is great news and early indications are looking extremely promising.

“Shale gas represents a huge economic opportunity for Lancashire firms, not only in terms of winning new business, but also creating new jobs and generating new market opportunities.

“It’s now up to all of us to work together to keep as much of these economic opportunities here in Lancashire.

“Cuadrilla has pledged to seek to buy local.

“It’s up to us now to raise our game, work together, and take full advantage of this.”

Cuadrilla began work on the site, near Preston, on October 15, after delays caused by bad weather, and protests.

It has also been forced to stop drilling on several occasions due to tremors being registered in the area of drilling.

Mr Egan said: “This Preston New Road site is being monitored to an unprecedented level… If we are able to fully test these wells, without compromising on safety, we have the potential to make a major difference to UK energy supply, security and economic prosperity.”

The site is Cuadrilla’s first exploration site on UK soil.