2016 set to be ‘defining year’ for fracking industry

THE boss of a company at the centre of the development of the North West’s shale industry says that 2016 will be a “defining year” for the industry.

And Manchester-based Peel Gas & Oil’s managing director Myles Kitcher has called for the supply chain for fracking to be viewed as part of an overall “masterplan”, linking the demand of sale from production to consumption.

Kitcher’s comments follows the granting of 93 licences for shale gas exploration across the UK by the Government with activity even in National Parks, such as the Peak District and Lake District a possibility.

“We are looking forward to the opportunities 2016 will bring,” said Kitcher. “With a larger number of operators and licences across the UK, we believe the time is now right to ensure the region maximises the inevitable investment that will follow by ensuring the supply chain is in place to service the industry.

“It is also time to start thinking about how various well pads could inter-connect as part of a bigger picture. Shale gas development is currently dependent on a supply chain delivering a number of commodities for successful and cost effective implementation.”

Kitcher said that harnessing shale is “vital for the Northern Powerhouse”.

He went on: “Not only will a thriving shale gas sector provide the fuel for industry across the North, but it brings its own economic benefits.”

Kitcher said work for Peel by AMION Consulting earlier this year demonstrated that developing a supply hub in the North West could see local economies benefiting from a £30bn boost through capital spending and deliver 13,000.

Peel Gas & Oil was launched in 2015, as the business looked to capitalise on the economic benefits. Kitcher said the company is working alongside current and prospective onshore licence holders as a development partner, providing integrated property solutions for the industry.

“Drawing on the Peel Group’s skills and assets in land, infrastructure, utilities, transport and planning we already working with IGas on a number of sites in the North West and hope to be announcing further partnerhsips in 2016.

“It certainly looks like momentum is building with Cuadrilla’s appeal (in Lancashire) to be determined, and with a whole host of new licences to be explored, 2016 could be defining year for shale gas.”