Picture: Egdon Resources

Summary of recent activity and expected operations at 50 sites across the UK,  including applications, decisions, company plans and licence changes. 

The list is organised alphabetically first by country, then county and unitary authority and finally by site. (Spool down for Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.)

Please let us know if information in this post is missing, inaccurate or out-of-date. We want to make this as complete and accurate as possible. Contact here.

For the latest information, please see our Sites page which is updated with new details as we hear about them.

England

CHESHIRE

Bridge Trafford, A56, Warrington Road, Bridge Trafford, PEDL190

IGas

Small protest camp evicted on 5 September 2016. The camp was set up after campaigners discovered Star Energy Ltd, owned by IGas, had bought a field at Bridge Trafford for £141,000 and another field south of Warrington Road in Barrow, owned by David William Pym. Costs of £5,000 were awarded against campaigners Dr Steven Peers and Simon Stafford-Smith. Local people say geological faults underlie the sites and they are near the epicentre of an 18^th century earthquake which was one of the most powerful in the UK. IGas said once the results of seismic testing were known the company would consult with local people on plans for the sites. More details

Picture: Frack Free Ellesmere Port

Ellesmere 1, Portside One, Portside North, Merseyton Road, Ellesmere Port, PEDL184

IGas

The Ellesmere Port-1 well was drilled in November–December 2014. The site has planning permission (09/02169/min) for two coal bed methane exploratory wells, appraisal and production for 25 years.

Plot 11, Ince Resource Recovery Park, Marsh Lane, Ince, PEDL190

IGas

No update. Planning permission (09/02568/min) granted in 2010 for 25 years from the start of work.

Salters Lane, Picton, near Mickle Trafford, Chester, PEDL189

IGas

No update . On 5 February 2016, IGas announced it was pulling out of this site, saying it did not meet the company’s criteria for coal bed methane development. More details.

Picture from live video

Dutton’s Lane, Upton, PEDL189

IGas/INEOS

In October 2016, a district judge dismissed the prosecution case against five people arrested at the eviction of a camp at the Upton site. Two people were found guilty and each received one-year conditional discharges.  An eighth person was found not guilty on one charge and another charge was dismissed. The final person arrested is to stand trial next year.  The camp was evicted in January (details). Three weeks later, IGas announced it was pulling out of the site.

Other sites  in Cheshire

Land east of Cow Lane, Foulk Stapleford, also known as Hargrave: Planning permission (10/10978/DIS )

Dog Kennel Farm, Shocklach Hall Lane, Shocklach, Oviatt, Malpas: Planning permission (09/10639/CPO)

Lesters Lane, also known as Bretton Lane, Lower Kinnerton, Chester, PEDL147, no permissions in place

Marsh House Lane, Kings Marsh, Farndon, Chester (also known as Churton), (13/02180/EXT) PEDL188

Work commitments for Cheshire 14th round PEDLs

PEDL292 (Kelsall/Tarporley/Winsford/Middlewich), INEOS:  By 2021, drill a well to 4500m, drill a horizontal appraisal well and conduct hydraulic fracturing operations from it, shoot 75km of 2D seismic data and shoot 75km squared  of 3D seismic data

PEDL293 (Middlewich/Holmes Chapel/Sandbach), IGas/Engie: Firm commitment – by 2021 shoot 30km of 2D seismic data; Drill-or-Drop provision – drill a well 2500m or 20m into the Dinantian Limestone, whichever is the shallower

PEDL294 (Frodsham/Sandiway/Northwich), INEOS: By 2021, drill two wells to 4500m, drill two horizontal appraisal wells and conduct hydraulic fracturing operations from them, shoot 50km of 2D seismic data, shoot 150km2 of 3D seismic data

PEDL295 (Nantwich), IGas: Firm commitment by 2021 shoot 25km of 2D seismic data. Drill-or-Drop provision – drill a  well 2500m or 20m into the Dinantian Limestone, whichever is the shallower

PEDL296 (Knutsford) INEOS: Firm commitment – by 2021, shoot 25km of 2D seismic data. Drill-or-Drop provision – drill a well to 2,500m or 20m into the Dinantian Limestone, whichever is the shallower

Updates on older Cheshire PEDLs

• PEDL 184 (Ellesmere Port/Wirral/Deeside/South Wirral), IGas/INEOS: Moved to second term. By 30 June 2021: obtain 56km of 2d seismic data on blocks SJ28 and SJ27, obtain 35km of 2D seismic data on block SJ37 and drill a well to a depth of 580m.
• PEDL185: Expired
• PEDL186: Expired
• PEDL187: Expired
• PEDL188 (Holt/Farndon), IGas subsidiary Composite Energy: Moved to second term. Acquire 20km of new 2D seismic data and reprocess 10km of 2D data by 30 June 2020 and drill two wells to a depth of 750m.
• PEDL189 (Mickle Trafford/Upton/Chester), IGas/INEOS: Two-year extension to initial term. By June 2018 obtain 20km of 2D seismic data, reprocess 10km of 2D seismic data and drill one well to a depth of 750m.
• PEDL190 (Ellesmere Port/Ince/Bridge Trafford), IGas/INEOS: Moved to second term, obtain 45km of 2D seismic data and drill a well to a depth of 1050m.

DORSET

California Quarry, Swanage, P1918

Planning permission  granted in 2013 for an onshore-offshore exploratory oil well elapsed on 3 December 2016. Campaigners who had occupied the site since September 2016 dismantled their protection camp. timeline

EAST RIDING OF YORKSHIRE

Crawberry Hill, Walkington Heads, PEDL183

Rathlin Energy

On 1 August 2016 Rathlin Energy said it had surrendered its environmental permits for Crawberry Hill after moving equipment off the site and restoring it to agricultural land. The company decommissioned the borehole after announcing in August 2015 that it was withdrawing for technical and commercial reasons. Rathlin said it would implement a five-year aftercare programme for the site.

West Newton A in 2014

West Newton-A, Off Fosham Road, West Newton, PEDL183

Rathlin Energy

No update on this site. The well remains suspended after operations in 2014. No work has yet taken place following planning permission granted by East Riding of Yorkshire Council on 26 November 2015 for another three years until 21 December 2018. At the time, Rathlin said this would allow it to drill a second well. It has described the gas discovery at West Newton A as encouraging and repeatedly says it will not use fracking. Rathlin told the local liaison group in June 2016 that there would be daily site security and environmental checks, weekly site inspections, surface water management (as per the approved permit) and groundwater monitoring (quarterly).

West Newton B, Crook Lane, West Newton, PEDL183

Rathlin Energy

On August 1 2016, the Environment Agency granted environmental permits for drilling and testing at West Newton B. The permit allows for flaring gas and discharge of surface run-off water. Rathlin Energy said before work could begin the company had to discharge conditions in the planning permission granted by East Riding of Yorkshire Council in June 2015. The planning permission has a no-fracking condition. Rathlin also has get approval from the Health and Safety Executive and the Oil and Gas Authority.

PEDL183 licence update

In July, the OGA announced Rathlin Energy has moved to the second term for PEDL183. It relinquished an area of 263km2 comprising Hull and land at Spurn Point. In the two retention areas the company is required to

1. Drill a well to 2000m and test by 30 June 2018 and to complete geotechnical studies by 30 June 2019
2. Acquire and interpret 15km2 new 3D seismic data by 30 June 2018 and to complete geotechnical studies by 30 June 2019. Partial relinquishment of

LANCASHIRE

Aughton, Halsall, Haskayne, PEDL164

Tesla Exploration carried out seismic testing for Aurora Energy Resources during July and August 2016. There have been local protests and complaints about the tests. DrillOrDrop reports here and here. On 1 July 2016, the OGA announced a two-year extension to initial term of PEDL164.

Becconsall (also known as Banks), Off Bonny Barn Road, Banks, PEDL165

Cuadrilla

No update on this site. The company confirmed in November 2015 it was abandoning the site because it was unable to secure equipment in time to meet planning conditions to protect wintering birds. Cuadrilla said it would plug the well and restore the site after the wintering bird season ended on 31st March 2016 and before the deadline set by Lancashire County Council of 31st October 2016.

Grange Road, Singleton, PEDL165

Cuadrilla

On 23 February 2016, the Planning Inspectorate announced Cuadrilla had won its appeal against the refusal by Lancashire County Council of application LCC/2014/0084 for a three-year extension of its permission to undertake seismic and pressure monitoring. The planning inspector, Elizabeth Ord, refused the company’s application for costs. She said the council had not, as Cuadrilla claimed, acted unreasonably. Details. Cuadrilla said a decision on Grange Road would depend on the outcome of the planning inquiry over its plans for Preston New Road and Roseacre Wood (see below).

Preston New Road, Little Plumpton, PEDL165

Cuadrilla

The Communities and Local Government Secretary, Sajid Javid, is expected to publish his decision on Cuadrilla’s appeal on this site by Thursday 6 October 2016. This follows a public inquiry in Blackpool in February and March 2016 on two applications to drill, frack and test up to four wells and carry out monitoring at the site. The applications were refused by Lancashire County Council in June 2015.

Site visit during the public inquiry

Roseacre Wood, PEDL165

Cuadrilla

The Communities and Local Government Secretary, Sajid Javid, is expected to publish his decision on Cuadrilla’s appeal on this site by Thursday 6 October 2016. This follows a public inquiry in Blackpool in February and March 2016 on two applications to drill, frack and test up to four wells and carry out monitoring at the site. Lancashire County Council refused the main application in June 2015. Cuadrilla appealed against that and conditions imposed on a monitoring scheme.

Update on PEDL165

On 1 July 2016, the OGA announced that Cuadrilla had moved to the second term of PEDL165. It relinquished an area of PEDL165, amounting to 63 km2 ??? or about 6%, around the Forest of Bowland. The company has new commitments in the remaining retention areas:

1. Retention Area 1-North – collect outcrop data and interpret existing 2D seismic data by January 2018, to acquire gravity and/or magnetic geophysical data by 30 June 2019 and to apply for planning permission to drill a well by 30 June 2021.
2. Retention Area 2-Central – drill and hydraulically fracture a horizontal well by 30 June 2019 and to submit a Field Development Plan by 30 June 2021.
3. Retention Area 3-South – acquire gravity and/or magnetic geophysical data by 30 June 2019 and to apply for planning permission to drill a well by 30 June 2021.

LINCOLNSHIRE

Biscathorpe-2, land off High Street, Biscathorpe, near Louth LN11 9RA PEDL253

Egdon Resources

No update on this site. DrillOrDrop could find no record of an environmental permit, applied for in 2015. Planning permission was awarded by Lincolnshire County Council on 16 March 2015. Egdon has said no fracking is planned.

Laughton, PEDL209

Egdon Resources

Egdon’s website reports that the site has been fully restored to agricultural land. On 14 March 2016, Egdon Resources announced it was abandoning this well after hydrocarbon shows were “not sufficiently encouraging to warrant testing. (Link to statement). The well was spudded on 12 February 2016 and drilled to a depth of 1,700m.

North Kelsey-1, land off Smithfield Road, North Kelsey, Brigg, PEDL 241

Egdon Resources and Union Jack Oil

Egdon’s website says the company is currently working to satisfy conditions of its planning consent for the site and expects to begin site construction in the winter of 2016-2017. The website adds that Egdon will shortly submit an application to the Environment Agency for environmental permits to allow drilling and possible testing at the site. It says the well will not be fracked for shale gas.

Wressle-1, Scunthorpe, PEDL180

Europa, Egdon, Celtique Energie, Union Jack Oil

Egdon Resources applied in June 2016 for planning permission to produce oil and gas from its Wressle well. It has also applied to the Environment Agency to vary the mining waste permit for the site. The company said it has no plans to frack at the site but the application included options for a proppant squeeze (injecting a slurry of sand and gelled water) and acidization (injecting dilute acid). The planning application is for 15 years. It predicts three additional jobs would be created and at peak times the site would generate 40 lorry movements a week. The public consultation on the planning application closed on 31 August 2016. 100% of the public responses were objections. No date has been set for a decision but the next meeting of North Lincolnshire Council’s planning committee is Wednesday 21 September 2016.

Update on Lincolnshire PEDLS

On 1 July, the OGA confirmed:

• PEDL253: initial term extended for one year to 30 June 2017 (see Biscathorpe above)
• PEDL241: initial term extended for one year to 30 June 2017 (see North Kelsey above)
• PEDL209 has moved into its second term with a commitment by Egdon Resources to Integrate the results of Laughton 1 well by 30 June 2017, submit planning application for a new well by 31 December 2019 and drill it by 30 June 2021.

NORTH YORKSHIRE

Ebberston Moor South Well Site, PL077

Third Energy and Moorland Energy Ltd

No update on this site. Third Energy received planning permission on 20 August 2015 to extract up to 15 million standard cubic feet of gas per day and reinject 556m3/day of waste water. It also has consent to drill a second borehole and construct an underground pipeline from the site to Knapton Generating Station. The Environment Agency approved Third Energy’s permit application on the same day.

KM8 well, Kirby Misperton. Picture: Third Energy

KM8, Kirby Misperton, Ryedale, PL080

Third Energy

On 23 May 2016, North Yorkshire County Council approved Third Energy’s planning application to frack the existing KM8 well for shale gas (details). Friends of the Earth and Frack Free Ryedale have applied for a judicial review (JR) of the way the approval was reached (details). A decision on whether the JR should go ahead will be made on 22 November. If the JR is approved the full case will go ahead immediately. A second day (23 November 2016) has been set aside for the case. Details On 11 April 2016, The Environment Agency granted a mining waste, radioactive substances and ground activity permits (details).

Pickering, AL6

Third Energy

No update on this site. In August 2015, the Environment Agency approved an environmental permit (EPR/BB3699EY/A001) for the reinjection of waste produced water from its gas production wells into an abandoned well at its Pickering site in North Yorkshire.

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE

Grantham Road, Radcliffe on Trent, PEDL255

Hutton Energy

No update on this site. The company says it plans to drill two 950m oil exploration boreholes on the site, known as Harlequin 3. The site has permission until 31 October 2017 (decision notice). The Environment Agency granted environmental waste permit CB3300KR/A001 on 21 April 2015. Planning permission, first granted in 1999, has been renewed five times but the site has never been drilled. Hutton said its plans did not involve fracking. Hutton was awarded five licences in the 14^th round.

Campaigners outside the meeting at which IGas’s monitoring application was approved

Springs Road, Misson, Bassetlaw, PEDL139

IGas

Nottinghamshire County Council is expected to decide on this shale gas application at a special meeting on 5 October 2016 (details). IGas wants to drill a vertical well to 3,500m and a deviated well to a depth of 4,350m at the site. The application does not include fracking. The latest public consultation closed on 5 August 2016. In January 2016, the county council approved IGas’s application for 12 groundwater monitoring boreholes at the site. IGas began moving equipment on eight days later.

Tinker Lane, Torworth, Bassetlaw, PEDL200

Dart Energy (East of England) Ltd (IGas/INEOS)

IGas has applied for a mining waste permit and planning permission to drill for shale gas at this site. Both applications say the company does not plan to frack at this stage. The permit application reveals that IGas has reduced the maximum depth of the proposed well by nearly 1.5km to a total of 1.84km. The deadline for comments on the environmental permit is 28 September 2016. The public consultation on the planning application has closed but Nottinghamshire County Council has not announced the decision date. Bassetlaw District Council, a statutory consultee, voted to object to the planning application, against the advice of its planners.

Update on PEDL 200

On 1 July 2016, the OGA announced PEDL 200 had moved to a second term. Dart Energy (East England) Ltd is required to drill one well by 31 December 2017, acquire new seismic data by 31 December 2019 and drill a horizontal well by June 2021.

REDCAR AND CLEVELAND

Kirkleatham, PEDL068

Egdon Resources

An Egdon spokesperson told The Chronicle (7/9/2016) that the company would carry out an evaluation of the Kirkleatham gas field over the next 6-12 months to “identify opportunities to restart production by further drilling to undrained parts of the gas accumulation”. The spokesperson said planning permission was in place at the site for further drilling but operations were unlikely in the next 12 months. The Kirkleatham well was drilled in 2011 and gas pumped to the Sembcorp power plant at Wilton. But Egdon closed the well in 2012 because of problems with water levels. In 2015, Egdon increased its stake in PEDL068 by 20% to 68%.

SALFORD

Barton Moss (also known as Irlam 1), PEDL193

IGas/INEOS

No news on this site. IGas has said it has no plans to return to Barton Moss. But in May 2016, an IGas statement to shareholders said it would apply for permission to frack and flow test wells in north west England (details). The company said the results of 3D seismic surveys would determine where they were. The Barton Moss well drilled in 2013/2014 took samples of rock from coal measures and the Bowland shales.

Under new licence commitments for PEDL193, IGas must:

• Acquire new seismic data by 30 June 2018
• Submit a planning application to drill a well by 30 June 2020
• Drill, hydraulically fracture and flow test a well by 30 June 2021

SEFTON

Formby, PEDL164

Tesla Exploration carried out seismic testing for Aurora Energy Resources during July and August 2016. There have been local protests and complaints about the tests. DrillOrDrop reports here and here. On 1 July 2016, the OGA announced a two-year extension to initial term of PEDL164.

SURREY

Albury Park Wellsite, New Road, Albury, DL004

IGas

On 13 July 2016, Surrey County Council approved plans to convert this exploration site to gas production. The site is in the Green Belt and Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. All but two councillors accepted the advice of planning officers that it was national policy to maximise exploitation of oil and gas and that this amounted to exceptional circumstances which justified approval. More details. No news on when work is due to start.

Bury Hill Wood, (also known as Holmwood-1), Leith Hill, PEDL143

Europa Oil and Gas

Europa has submitted operational plans for approval to Surrey County Council to meet the conditions of its planning consent, granted by a planning inspector in August 2015. The company plans to drill a 1,400m deviated well at the site near Dorking, inside the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Europa said the well would not be fracked. In August 2016, its chief executive, Hugh Mackay, told GetSurrey

“I hope that in the second half of this year we will have discharged those conditions and once that’s done then the next step will be to drill the well.”

Surrey County Council said four of seven documents to meet planning conditions were due to be determined by the end of September and it expected the company to submit the other three soon. Work on the traffic management plan, including traffic surveys, should be completed by late autumn.

Horse Hill. Picture: Eddie Mitchell

Horse Hill-1, near Horley, PEDL 137

Horse Hill Developments Ltd (consortium including UK Oil and Gas Investments)

On 21 July, UKOG held an exhibition on its plans for two new wells and more testing at the Horse Hill-1 site. The company said it wanted to flow test four sections of the well, for 90 days each. Depending on the outcome, the operator may then drill a side-track well to target oil in Kimmeridge limestones and a vertical well to target the Portland sandstone formation. Executives said a planning application, for a period of five years, was expected to be submitted to Surrey County Council in mid-September. An environmental permit application would be submitted around the same time, the company said. More details

Local people have criticised the Horse Hill site as being too close to houses. More details. Stephen Sanderson, executive chairman of UKOG, promised to give 1% of production revenues to landowners and the local community. 10 people arrested at protests at Horse Hill have been acquitted in two separate trials in June and July (details here and here). Another eight people were convicted (details).

Land at King’s Farm, Tilburstow Hill Road, South Godstone, Bletchingley, ML021

IGas

No news on plans by IGas to extension to the Bletchingley 2 and Bletchingley Central well sites for hydrocarbon production. The company received planning permission on 24 March 2016 under delegated powers for oil and gas production at this site for 15 years. Full details here

Update on Surrey PEDLs

PEDL 143 (Bury Hill Wood/Holmwood): 2-year extension to the initial term

PEDL 246 (Horse Hill): Moved to second term and required to acquire new 3D seismic by 30 June 2017 and drill Horse Hill 1 sidetrack by 30 September 2017.

PEDL 235: 2-year extension to second term

PEDL 246 (Horse Hill): Moved to second term, acquire new 3D seismic by 30 June 2017, drill Horse Hill 1 sidetrack by 30 September 2017

Opponents of the IGas application outside Trafford Town Hall before a  planning meeting in Ocotber 2015

TRAFFORD

Davyhulme, PEDL193

IGas/INEOS

Still no news about a start date for the start of coal bed methane drilling at this site, approved by Trafford Council on 8 October 2015. The council extended the company’s permission at the site, next to the Davyhulme water treatment works, for 25 years. This will allow IGas to drill two exploration wells and two production boreholes and install equipment to generate electricity from any gas produced.

Under new licence commitments for PEDL193, the operator must:

• Acquire new seismic data by 30 June 2018
• Submit a planning application to drill a well by 30 June 2020
• Drill, hydraulically fracture and flow test a well by 30 June 2021

WARRINGTON

Land south east of M6 jct 21, next to the Thelwall viaduct, PEDL193

IGas

No updates on this site. Planning permissions were granted on 18th November 2010 (2010/16949) and 4th February 2015 (2014/24921) for two exploratory boreholes for coal bed methane appraisal and production. Woolston and Thelwall Community Protection Camp established in April 2015. See entry for Trafford above for updates on PEDL193.

WEST SUSSEX

Balcombe. Picture: David Burr

Lower Stumble, Balcombe, PEDL244

Cuadrilla

No updates on this site, which remains suspended. Cuadrilla has told us it would inform Balcombe residents before flow testing began. As part of the planning permission:

• Cuadrilla is required to establish a residents’ forum, which we understand is not yet in place
• Work on the site must begin by May 2017
• The site must be restored within six months of the start date.

PEDL244 has moved to a second term. The work programme requires Cuadrilla to flow test the Balcombe 2z (sidetrack) well by 30 June 2019 and to drill another well by 30 June 2021.

Markwells Wood, near Rowlands Castle, PEDL126

UK Oil & Gas Investments

UKOG is expected to submit a planning application on 9 September 2016  to the South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) for 20 years of oil production at the site.  In July, the SDNPA required UKOG to produce an Environmental Impact Assessment, arguing that the plans were likely to have “significant environmental effects” (more details).  The OGA has extended the first term of PEDL126 for a year to 30 June 2017. The South Downs National Park Authority extended planning permission for appraisal of the well until 30 September 2016. UKOG said it planned to apply for planning permission for phased oil development. This would include drilling a sidetrack development well.

Singleton oil field, A286, Cobblers Row to Middlefield, Singleton PO18 0HL

IGas

The South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) has approved planning permission for:

• Drilling of 2 new oil wells in existing well cellars on an existing site. Intention to develop further production from the site, together with the installation of new oil storage tanks. Application SDNP/16/02229/CM approved 23 August 2016.
• Variation of planning permission conditions to extend life of operations to 31 December 2031. Applications SDNP/16/01672/CND, SDNP/16/01674/CND, SDNP/16/01677/CND, SDNP/16/01680/CND and SDNP/16/01681/CND approved 20 July 2016;

Another application, also before the SDNLPA, has yet to be decided:

• SDNP/16/02802/CM Proposed export of gas by tanker from singleton oilfield, involving: a) the installation of a compressed natural gas unit, tanker loading area and associated plant b) the export of gas by road, together with the provision of replacement site office, security office and welfare unit.

Wood Barn Farm (also called Broadford Bridge), Adversane Lane, near Billingshurst RH14 9EB, PEDL234

Kimmeridge Oil and Gas Ltd (UK Oil & Gas Investments)

On 11 August 2016, UKOG announced it had acquired 100% of PEDL 234 from Celtique Energie and Magellan Petroleum, including operation of Wood Barn Farm. The wellpad at the site (also called Broadford Bridge) was constructed in 2014 and it has planning and environmental permit consents. UKOG said it would secure remaining consents for drilling and testing operations from the Health and Safety Executive and OGA. It planned to drill and test in 2017. Planning permission is due to expire in September 2017.

Baxter’s Copse, PEDL233

UK Oil & Gas Investments and IGas

On 5 July 2016, UKOG, which had acquired a 50% interest in PEDL233. The initial term of the PEDL had been extended for two years until 30 June 2018. UKOG said it planned to apply for a well to appraise the Jurassic oolite oil formation and possibly the Kimmeridge limestone.

Updates on West Sussex PEDLs

PEDL 126 (Markwells Wood): moved to second term, submit a Field Development Plan for the Markwells Wood 1 discovery by 30 June 2017.

PEDL 231 (Fernhurst and Horsham/Crawley): licence ended

PEDL 233 (Graffham, Duncton, Upwaltham): 2-year extension to initial term

PEDL 234 (Broadford Bridge): 2-year extension to initial term

PEDL 235: 2-year extension to second term

PEDL 243: Licence ended

PEDL 244 (Balcombe): Moved to second term, flow test the Balcombe 2z well by 30 June 2019 and drill one well by 30 June 2021

Northern Ireland

COUNTY ANTRIM

Woodburn Forest-1 well, Carrickfergus, PL1/10

InfraStrata

On June 18 2016, Infrastrata announced it was abandoning the well because the target formations were found to be water wet. The well was drilled to 2,000m and completed the company’s work programme obligations for licence PL1/10. During operations at the site the Northern Ireland Environment Agency investigated two oil spills. A resident put Mid and East Antrim Borough Council on notice of a judicial review of its decisions over the site.

Scotland

A moratorium on fracking applications is in place while the Scottish Government carries out a public consultation and review. The moratorium does not cover water monitoring boreholes or conventional exploration. No licences were issued in Scotland under the 14th round because oil and gas licensing is to be devolved. In October, the Scottish government imposed a moratorium on underground coal gasification.

On 1 July 2016, the OGA announced the following changes to PEDL licences in central Scotland:

• PEDL 162 (INEOS): 2-year extension to initial term
• PEDL 163 (IGas): 2-year extension to second term

Please let us know about any planning applications or permissions for onshore drilling in Scotland.

Wales

On 25 March, the Welsh government extended the moratorium on planning applications for fracking to underground coal gasification (more details). No licences were issued in Wales under the 14th round because oil and gas licensing is to be devolved. Some licences have expired and others have changes to their terms.

BRIDGEND

Tyla Lane, Merthyr Mawr, Bridgend, CF32 0LT, PEDL216

Coastal Oil & Gas

No updates on this site. Permission granted in December 2014 for five years for test drilling in the Devonian shale. Environmental permit granted on 17 August 2015. The initial term of PEDL216 has been extended for two years to 20 June 2018.

NEATH-PORT TALBOT

Foel Fynyddau, Pontrhydyfen, Cwmafan, Port Talbot, PED215

UK Methane

The Coal Authority has invited expressions of interest in accessing coal for the purposes of methane extraction at Pontrhydfen. The deadline for expressions of interest is 11 September 2016 and submissions by 11 October 2016. Details 

On 20 January 2016, Natural Resources Wales granted an environmental permit to UK Methane for Foel Fynyddau. Planning permission (P2015/0031) granted by Neath Port Talbot’s planning committee on 17 March 2015. The initial term of PEDL215 has been extended for two years to 30 June 2018.

Intervalley Road, Banwen, PEDL148

UK Methane

Planning permission for an exploratory gas well (P2010/1183) expired on 19 July 2016. exploratory gas well. The second term of PEDL148 expires on 30 September 2016.

NEWPORT

West Nash Road, Nash, PEDL157

Sonorex Oil & Gas

No updates on this site. Permission (11/1351) for a temporary oil and gas exploration site was granted in September 2012 and a waste permit on 30 June 2015. Under the planning permission, work must begin by 7 September 2017 and be completed within six months but the second term of PEDL157 expires on 30 September 2016.

RHONDDA CYNON TAFF

Pantybrad Road, Llantrisant, PEDL220

Coastal Oil and Gas

PEDL220 expired 30 June 2016.

SWANSEA CITY AND COUNTY

Bryntywod, Llangyfelach, PEDL214

UK Methane

No update on this site. The initial term of PEDL214 has been extended for two years to 30 June 2018. Swansea Council granted planning permission for Bryntywod in December 2015 for five years for test drilling for coal bed methane.

Llys Nini Animal Centre, Penllergaer SA4 9WB, PEDL214

UK Methane

No update on this site. The initial term of PEDL214 has been extended for two years to 30 June 2018. Planning permission (2012/1427) approved for coal bed methane test drilling on 1 February 2013 for five years.

VALE OF GLAMORGAN

Five Mile Lane, Dyffryn, PEDL219

Coastal Oil & Gas

PEDL219 expired 30 June 2016.

Llancarfan, Llantrithyd, PEDL219

Coastal Oil & Gas

PEDL219 expired 30 June 2016.

Unit 1, Llandow Trading Estate, Cowbridge, PEDL217

Coastal Oil and Gas

The initial term of PEDL217 has been extended for two years until 30 June 2018. Natural Resources Wales issued environmental waste permit number RB3593HS/A001 on 15th July 2015. Planning permission approved in July 2012 after appeal for five years.

WREXHAM

Commonwood Farm, Borras Road LL13 9TF (also known as Holt), PEDL186

IGas

PEDL186 expired 30 June 2016 and no activity is expected for the foreseeable future. PEDL185, covering parts of Wrexham, as well as Cheshire and Shropshire, has also expired 30 June 2016. The Borras and Holt Protection Camp is closing.

Summary of PEDL changes in Wales

PEDL185, Dart Energy (West England) Ltd/IGas: Expired 30 June 2016

PEDL186, IGas, Wrexham: Expired 30 June 2016

PEDL 214, UK Methane Ltd, Swansea: 2-year extension to initial term and partial relinquishment of 74 km2

PEDL 215, UK Methane Ltd, Neath Port Talbot: 2-year extension to initial term and partial relinquishment of 60 km2

PEDL 216, Coastal Oil and Gas Ltd, Bridgend, Vale of Glamorgan: 2-year extension to initial term and partial relinquishment of 22 km2

PEDL 217, Coastal Oil and Gas Ltd, Bridgend, Vale of Glamorgan: 2-year extension to initial term and partial relinquishment of 41 km2

PEDL 219, Coastal Oil and Gas Ltd, Vale of Glamorgan: Expired 30 June 2016

PEDL220, Coastal Oil and Gas Ltd, Rhondda Cynon Taf: Expired 30 June 2016

PEDL224, Sonorex Oil and Gas Ltd, Newport, Monmouthshire: 1-year extension to initial term and partial relinquishment of 39 km2

Please let us know if information in this post is missing, inaccurate or out-of-date. We want to make this as complete and accurate as possible. Contact here.

For the latest information, please see our Sites page which is updated with new details as we hear about them.

Who wants to drill where? Spring 2016 update

Who wants to drill where? Summer 2015 update