Domestic gas producer begins drilling at university

DOMESTIC gas producer IGas has commenced drilling for new supply at Keele University in north Staffordshire.

The well was spudded on Friday and is expected to produce gas from a seam at a depth of approximately 1,757 ft.

Following completion of the well and de-watering, a long term production test will be carried out using IGas’s production testing equipment.

Logs from IGas’ well at Willoughbridge, in north Shropshire, have shown encouraging results as to the permeability of the coals in the area, said the company in a statement.

Chief executive Andrew Austin said: “These licences in Staffordshire have always been an area of great interest to IGas and we look forward to seeing the productive capacity of these coals.

“Increased concerns over security of energy supply and the harshest winter for some 40 years in the UK has highlighted the need for the UK to produce more of its own gas resources.

“I am delighted to have started drilling at Keele and look forward to updating the market on the results.

“We are on track to establish our first full UK gas production site in 2011.”