Our review of some of the key events and announcements on fracking and onshore oil and gas for in 2015 

Parliament

The Committee stage of the Infrastructure Bill resumes with two sessions on Tuesday 6^th January and continues on Thursday 8^th, Tuesday 13 and Thursday 15^th January 2015.

Also coming up:

Inquiry into the environmental risks of fracking by the House of Commons Environmental Audit Select Committee

Inquiry into the Infrastructure Bill by the House of Commons Public Bill Committee. Deadline for submissions is January 15th 2015.

General election Thursday 7^th May 2015

Announcements

Outcome of the 14^th licensing round, expected in the spring, possibly March

More details on devolution of licensing and mineral rights to Scotland

First report of the industry-funded Task Force on Shale Gas, due in the spring

Appeals and court action

Celtique Energie appeal against refusal of planning permission WSCC/083/13/KD to drill between Kirdford and Wisborough Green in West Sussex. A public inquiry is currently scheduled to start 8^th September 2015 at Northchapel Village Hall. The Planning Inspectorate has set aside 12 days.

Re-determination of appeal by Europa Oil and Gas Ltd against refusal of planning application MO09/0110 by Surrey County Council for exploratory drilling off Coldharbour Lane, Holmwood, near Dorking. The inquiry is due to start on April 22nd at Dorking Halls and could run for eight days.

Decision by the Scottish Government on Dart Energy appeals over applications for coal bed methane production in Airth and the Forth Valley

Also look out for:

Legal action by Tamboran, which has said it will sue the Northern Ireland Government, following the refusal of planning permission for drilling at Belcoo, County Fermanagh, and the company’s loss of its drilling licence.

Planning applications

Lancashire County Council decision on Cuadrilla’s planning application LCC/2014/0101 to frack up to four wells at Roseacre Wood in the Fylde, County Hall, Preston. Presentations to be heard on Friday 23^rd January. Decision Wednesday 28^th January.

Lancashire County Council decision on Cuadrilla’s planning application LCC/2014/0096 to frack up to four wells at Preston New Road in the Fylde, County Hall, Preston. Presentations heard Monday 26^th January. Decision Thursday 29^th January.

Also coming up:

Shropshire Council decision on Dart Energy’s application to drill at Ellesmere

Trafford Council decision on IGas application to drill at Davyhulme

Surrey County Council decision on Europa application for underground drilling corridor in Surrey Hills AONB

Submission of planning application by Rathlin Energy to drill West Newton B, East Riding of Yorkshire

Onsite activity

Look out for details about:

• Celtique Energie drilling at Broadford Bridge, near Billingshurst, West Sussex, expected in the spring
• Dart drilling at Borras near Wrexham
• Cuadrilla testing and flaring at Balcombe, West Sussex
• Rathlin Energy testing at Crawberry Hill, East Yorkshire
• Decommissioning of Cuadrilla’s Preese Hall well in the Fylde, expected in the spring
• Decision about the future of Markwell’s Wood in the South Downs National Park

Potential new sites

Look out for details about:

• IGas plans for sites at Graffham and West Dean in the South Downs National Park, Bletchingley in Surrey and in the East Midlands
• Cluff Natural Resources plans for coal gas extraction under the Firth of Forth

Test results

• IGas wells at Ellesmere Port and Barton Moss
• Horse Hill Developments Ltd at Horse Hill, near Horley
• Rathlin well at West Newton

Campaign action

Solidarity Sunday outside Rathlin Energy’s Crawberry Hill drilling site in East Yorkshire, Sunday 11^th January, 12 noon

Mass lobby of Parliament on the Infrastructure Bill, Wednesday 14^th January at 1.30pm

Demonstration against Cuadrilla application for Roseacre Wood, County Hall, Preston PR1 8RL, 28^th January, 9am

UK conferences

Oil and Gas International Licensing Summit, 20-21^st January, London

Shale gas and coal bed methane production: Exploring the environmental and hydrogeological impacts, 29^th January, London

UK Spill conference and exhibition, 3^rd February, East Midlands

Is Scotland ready for fracking?, 10^th February, Edinburgh

UK Shale Gas, The Engineers’ Summit, 24^th February, London

Shale UK, 4-5^th March, London

Energy: A balanced future, 10-11^th March, Gateshead

Shale Gas and Oil Forum, 16^th March, London

Shale Gas World UK, 15-16^th April, Birmingham

4^th Tight and Shale Gas Summit, 6-7^th May, London

Unconventional Gas and Oil Summit, June, venue tbc

European Shale Gas and Oil Summit, October, Manchester

Updates

5/1/15 to include Europa planning application to Surrey County Council and second public inquiry to consider appeal by Europa Oil and Gas Ltd against refusal of planning application by Surrey County Council

12/2/15 to remove Shale Gas Summit on February 17-18 following postponement of event.

12/2/15 to included revised date for Celtique Energie appeal arrangements for application between Kirdford and Wisborough Green