Potential for ‘significant’ gas resource in Liverpool Bay
ENERGY company IGas has reported finding a “significant” shale resource, from which it can extract gas, within the Liverpool Bay area.
The London-based domestic gas producer has found hydrocarbon bearing shales extending over 300,000 acres within its land in the area and has appointed independent consultants to review the potential of these shales to produce gas.
The company has also won planning permission for a full production site at Ellesmere Port, which is expected to produce between 4 and 10 million standard cubic feet of gas a day.
It also has a pilot well head at Doe Green near Warrington and has submitted for permission at a further four full production sites across the North West, under a framework agreement with Peel Environmental that gives it access to sites within Peel’s land.
As part of the agreement, Peel has given IGas unlimited access to its land holdings in the region to identify sites suitable for coal bed methane operations.
The agreement includes commercial arrangements for leases of sites once planning permission has been granted.
Andrew Austin, chief executive of IGas Energy, said: “This continuing work on understanding the full potential of our acreage to deliver gas once again gives us greater confidence in the resources we hold. The potential of delivering Shale gas is particularly exciting, as this sector has seen significant growth in North America and increased interest across continental Europe.”
IGas added in a stock market announcement: “Our ability to deliver local gas to local customers in the North West and recent supply concerns and issues has highlighted significant opportunities for both IGas and intensive energy users in the region.”
Owen Michelson, chairman of Peel Energy, said: “We are pleased with the decision at Ellesmere Port and the development of our relationship with IGas and [Canadian partner energy company] Nexen. We see this as a first step in delivering local gas to users across the North West.”
