Egdon hunts for North Yorks gas

EXPLORATION firm Egdon Resources has secured permission to drill a borehole to look for gas under the North Yorkshire countryside.

The company will drill the well on land south of Broad Gate Farm near the village of Westerdale in the North York Moors National Park.

It is the second time Egdon has tried to find gas in the area having failed to find commercial quantities six years ago.

Managing director Mark Abbott said: “We are delighted that the National Park Authority has approved our application for the Westerdale-2 well. 

“The final timing of the drilling will be dependent upon the conditions of planning, rig and contractor availability and final joint venture approval and is likely to be during 2013.

“We recognise the unique qualities of the North York Moors and, in accordance with Egdon’s Health, Safety and Environmental procedures, will be doing everything possible to minimise the impact of our activities on the area.”

Egdon’s renewed interest in the area comes as Sirius Minerals carries out a separate test drilling programme as it looks to develop a potash mine in the area.

Further permissions would be needed if Egdon found gas reserves it wanted to extract.