Area of INEOS East Midlands seismic surveying (marked by blue line). Map: INEOS Upstream
INEOS has confirmed it will begin seismic surveys for shale gas next month in parts of Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Rotherham Metropolitan Borough.
The surveys will cover a total of 250.7 km2. They are expected to begin on 5 June and last for up to six months.
In a formal notification to Nottinghamshire County Council, INEOS said the surveys would not be carried out in a range of protected areas, including Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve.
The historic estate at Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire, where the National Trust has refused access, is also excluded from the survey area.
INEOS said the 3D surveys would give it a better understanding of geology and rock formations which may contain shale gas. And this would help the company identify future sites for shale gas development.
Companies that want to carry out longer-term seismic surveys must notify the mineral planning authority 28 days before the work starts. But formal planning permission is not usually needed because under planning rules seismic surveying counts as “permitted development”.
Nottinghamshire County Council’s planning manager, Sally Gill, said:
“Subject to certain restrictions, INEOS is allowed to undertake the seismic survey without planning permission in line with national planning rules. However, any further development, including test drilling to explore for shale gas below ground, will require full planning permission.
“The County Council welcomes the decision by the company to avoid undertaking any surveying within the Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve and other areas of special environmental interest.”
INEOS told Nottinghamshire that 142.57 km2 of the survey area was in its council area. Another 90.8 km2 was in Derbyshire and 17.32 km2 in Rotherham.
Formal notifications have been sent to Derbyshire and Rotherham councils, the company confirmed. But at the time of writing, documents relating to surveys in these council areas have not been made public.
In documents sent to Nottinghamshire County Council, INEOS said it would not carry out surveying in:
- Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve
- EU-designated Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas
- Sites of Special Scientific Interest, including Thoresby Lake, Welbeck Lake, Hills and Holes and Sookholme Brook, Warsop
There will also be no surveying within 50m of any scheduled monuments. Surveying would also not take place within 50m of homes, 8m of streams, rivers or ponds and 30m of badger sets.
Vibroseis machines. Photo: Aurora Resources
Seismic surveying works by creating soundwaves into the ground and recording how they return. The soundwaves are created at source or shot points by either detonating small underground explosive charges or by dropping a pad from a vibroseis machine, sometimes called a thumper truck. The vibrations travel through rock layers and where the rock type changes they are reflected back to the surface. Microphones at the receiver points record how the soundwaves travel.
Seismic surveying does not include hydraulic fracturing or fracking.
Seismic surveying using explosive charges in Sefton. Photo: DrillOrDrop
INEOS said work would take place from 7am-7pm, seven days a week. Explosive charges would be limited to 2kg. No structures used in the surveys would be higher than 15m and no holes would exceed 10m deep or 12m2 in surface area.
The survey area takes in petroleum exploration licences (PEDLs) 299, 300, 304, 307, 308 and 309, all awarded to INEOS under the 14th round.
Access to land
Under the terms of INEOS’s licence agreements in the East Midlands, INEOS must carry out a total of 550 km of 2D surveys and 575 km2 of 3D surveys. It must also drill 11 vertical wells and 4 horizontal wells which will be fracked.
So far, INEOS has been refused access to land by the National Trust at Clumber Park and by a number of local authorities (DrillOrDrop report) But the company said at this stage 91% of the landowners it had contacted about access had given permission.
Nottinghamshire County Council is expected to discuss next month the company’s request to survey on seven council-owned or leased sites. The issue is likely to come before the council’s Finance and Property Committee at a meeting on 19 June.
“Fracking isn’t wanted or needed” – Friends of the Earth
Guy Shrubsole, campaigner for Friends of the Earth, responded to the news:
“INEOS have spun this the best they could, but they’re still exploring for shale gas in Sherwood Forest – local residents, historians and Nottinghamshire Council all agree on that. And they’ve still not ruled out their plans for a test drill at The Lings within Sherwood Forest.
“The fact that INEOS have backed off surveying in Clumber Park – after previously threatening the National Trust with legal action if they didn’t give them access – shows that standing up to fracking bullies works.
“Fracking isn’t wanted and isn’t needed. Every single parish council that INEOS have approached so far has rejected their surveys. Friends of the Earth will stand with local residents to fight INEOS’ fracking plans every step of the way.”
Advert for seismic survey staff
The logistics company, Arturius International Ltd, is recruiting staff to work on the INEOS seismic surveys.
An advert said ex-service personnel were preferred.
Candidates must be self-employed, sole traders or prepared to be self-employed and be prepared to work 12 hour days Monday-Saturday. Pay is £90 a day, equivalent to the minimum wage. Own transport is preferred.
Links
Nottinghamshire seismic surveying webpage
INEOS letter to Nottinghamshire County Council
INEOS Seismic Surveying Methodology
Notification of Seismic Surveys
Categories: Industry
DRILL OR DROP? 
What are Friends of the Earth doing passing comment? They are the ones that have been poisoning peoples opinions with fake news. They were unable to provide any evidence of their false claims about water pollution and health effects, and house price decline, yet still they make the same false claims. With every reliable scientific body looking at shale gas extraction finding it safe, provided its done properly, its shocking that they are even consulted for their opinions.
The UK insurance industry , whose sole job is to calculate risk, do not think there is no risk to surrounding properties.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/householders-affected-by-floods-face-insurance-double-whammy-if-they-live-nearby-planned-fracking-a6804476.html
I wonder what house prices in fracking areas will be worth ?
If they are lucky enough to get insurance, what will be the premiums £££££££££
Hi Ken. Have you read https://www.taskforceonshalegas.uk/ and this Gentleman , a Local water engineer Peter Rolinson from North Yorkshire has years of experience with the oil and gas industry and speaks out about concerns .://youtu.be/MMpz3vg6224 . Ken I live very close to the two latest proposed exploration sites – and I am concerned because INEOS staff can not and will not guarantee that this process is safe. We shouldn’t make decisions either way without weighing up all the risks. Please keep realistic and keep reading up. There are two sides to every story. This could happen 50 metres from your property. I feel very concerned that local houses are built on a mine shafts. And the site is on the border of an SSSI. Perhaps you could take interest and pass comment on the planning application on Derbyshire County Council website.https://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/environment/planning/planning_applications/current_applications/default.asp?VD=FromHomepage Please have feelings for the neighbours directly involved.
Kind Regards
Sarah
The water engineer does not seem to realise that drilling through SPZ1s is not permitted. He also trots out the BTEX chemicals. These are not permitted under UK regulations. This has been fed to him by ‘experts’ like Friends of the Earth who were unable to justify their science when I made a complaint against them. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-38499811
The EA and the HSE evaluate the risks in great detail. Its what they do! Its the same for any other industry. The idea that this process is risky or new is nonsense. Its been done millions of times in the US with no issue. Their regulations are not as strict as the UK yet still there have been no contamination issues.
There is a huge amount of reliable information on this link Sarah. It includes the SPZ1 restriction. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/about-shale-gas-and-hydraulic-fracturing-fracking/developing-shale-oil-and-gas-in-the-uk
Sarah, there is almost an endless body of world leading, Professors and Doctors of medicine, science and engineering that are screaming about the dangers of fracking.
Here is just ONE, from a highly qualified, well respected organisation.
http://www.psr.org/environment-and-health/hydraulic-fracturing.html?referrer=https://www.google.co.uk/
Sarah-nobody is being unrealistic except those asking for guarantees that a process is safe. Of course you will not get such a guarantee, no more so than one for crossing a road or a field. You have to examine the process and make up your own mind. Equally, so will the appropriate planning departments and other bodies who have to authorise.
Neighbours of course deserve consultation and consideration, but these developments are no different to other planning matters. There are grounds for objection that will be considered but many that will not-if a neighbour wants to build an extension you will soon see that.
There are numerous on shore oil and gas sites already in the UK, and there have been few issues relating to their operation. The largest oil site in UK is slap bang next to a nature reserve and an area of some of the most expensive housing in UK. I have worked in areas where such sites exist and many new comers to the areas are totally unaware they exist, as the initial construction has disappeared and they quietly get on doing what they were built for eg. Kirby Misperton. Yet, as soon as fracking is mentioned Kirby Misperton is turned into some sort of environmental disaster by commentators who ignored it’s existence for many years.
I think you will find there is a process that does weigh up all the risks, and there is experience from a huge number of such developments. Obviously, there are those who do not want such developments at all, and will muddy the water and produce fake news.
You are right, there are two sides to every story. One part of that is the world oil price at $48/barrel currently, and that is very largely due to the use of fracking in US. (Even after sanctions upon Russia and OPEC limiting production.) If oil was $80-$100/barrel nearly all your household expenses would be dramatically higher-not just the petrol in your car or your energy costs, because the world economy is still driven by oil and gas.
I suspect you will find Ineos will be pleased to discuss what economic gain they expect from their activities for the country as a whole, and for local communities. But, they will not give guarantees on that either, because how could they when these are development sites? They might not even find commercial quantities.
I hope you will find the reality is a lot less worrying than you currently fear, and you find the reward is greater than you expected.
Thankyou for summarising exactly what I wanted to say to Sarah, Martin!
BTW Planning rules mean that there will be a separation between houses and drilling, so the idea that drilling could be 50m from your house is fantasy. There is no limit set but the rules on noise mean that would not happen. It would be decided on a case by case basis.
A reminder that UK shale cannot make profit at today,s prices.
http://energydesk.greenpeace.org/2015/08/20/super-low-gas-price-spells-trouble-for-fracking-in-the-uk/
As it would be dearer to produce than our own home grown North sea, dearer than our Norweign imports, and dearer than our LNG imports, there would be no access to the European market for UK shale.
‘Gold standards’ and green completions would add further to this costly industry making it much dearer to produce than the US.
The presence of oil and gas in shale has been known about for decades. The big UK players have never got involved.
It would appear the numbers don’t add up.
Bloomberg confirming UK shale costs much dearer than US shale. Losing money at today’s prices.
http://www.climatechangenews.com/2013/10/03/bloomberg-fracking-unlikely-to-bring-down-uk-energy-bills/
If prices do rise then our home grown North sea output will increase. Infrastructure, skilled workforce, and proven market already in place.
No need for any new intrusive onshore, dirty, dangerous, costly, developments.
The biggest myth put out by the pro frackers is that without shale the ‘lights will go out’
This is of course nonsense.
There is 20 billion barrels of North sea oil and gas remaining. We have used 40 billion in 40 years.
Our contracts with Norway have been in place for decades and they can supply more if needed. Most of our LNG is from Qatar. Our trade with them is worth £1.5 billion per year to us.
We are having to pay for decommissioning of the old infrastructure in the North sea. That happens regardless.
Here are some facts
BP statistical review of world energy 2015. 2014 source.
Gas
Britain produced 3500 thousand cubic feet per day (mmscfd)
Britain consumed 6500 mmscfd
Britain imported 1100 mmscfd in the form of LNG
Britain imported 2200 mmscfd through pipelines
79% from Norway
20% from Netherlands
1% from other sources
We also exported home grown Gas
North sea oil and gas output has risen in the last 2 years.
Not really a ‘lights will go out without shale’ scenario.
Ideal time to start maximising our renewable potential whilst we have fossil fuel security.
John – check your numbers:
Britain produced 3500 thousand cubic feet per day (mmscfd) ???
3500 thousand cubic feet per day = 3.5 mmscfd, much less than Preese Hall on its own?
Do you mean 3500 mmscfd?
Where does the gas imported from the Netherlands come from?
Why can’t shale replace the net imported gas? If it works out to be cheaper?
I see an advert. for posts to be filled, as a result of this activity!!!
Maybe not the best remuneration in the world, but for ex servicemen who can find it difficult to move into employment I am sure it will be welcome. (Not sure Unite will see it that way!)
Yet, we will still see reference to this development not producing employment! (But then, we will also see references to events against fossil fuel that were attended by people from around the country and you can park your vehicles at the local B&Q!) Bit like the vegetarian who attends your dinner party taking the moral high-ground whilst flashing their new leather boots and their recently whitened canines and incisors. I shouldn’t start on that one, otherwise we will see a campaign for vegetarians to have free molar implants on the NHS.)
‘Maybe not the best remuneration in the world, but for ex servicemen who can find it difficult to move into employment’
So you are saying the proud servicemen, kicked into touch by the Cons, instead of being able to join the police after their sign up ends on decent pay and prospects; due to the ‘austerity’ cuts are forced to work for the fracking companies as ‘heavies’ on minimum wage…..what an insult! I’m sure it won’t be ‘welcome’…
Fear mongering…
http://dailycaller.com/2017/05/09/document-shows-how-environmentalists-trick-the-media-into-attacking-fracking/
typical ‘fake news’ article GBK, nice try
It’s no more a fake news article than the nonsense the anti brigade base their ‘facts’ on.
The clue is in the title ‘trick the media’………oh the psychology of words……
Sarah-if you want to check out some real economic facts on the subject have a look at Bloomberg (Javier Blas). The information is quite interesting in what it states. It is also interesting in that you can read on this site over the last few days as to how fracking in US has, and will, be a con. You need to DYOR, and pick the facts out of the muddied waters.
See what I mean Sarah! UK shale gas will not be economic. Yet your subject you are interested in is Ineos. This countries largest chemicals company who happen to use gas sourced from fracking in US. You can research how they have built ships to allow this to happen.They are a major force in the international oil industry. And now? They are planning to spend a minimum of £500m to try and develop UK shale gas. You are being asked to believe they have more money than sense. I expect some will actually believe that. I don’t. This is a company not owned by shareholders, this is their own money.
I am totally against fracking. When will they learn ???
I am for it. When will they learn that?
Not sure either of us will make a great deal of difference. The introduction of the motor car suffered the same issues, but social media was not around then.
As the article is about seismic surveying, I’ll just point out that vibroseis trucks do not “drop” their pad on the ground. It’s lowered, the truck is raised, and the pad vibrates. Stand 10m away, and you won’t feel anything, though lie on the ground a few metres away and you will feel the vibration.