The licence area held by Aurora near Formby and wells already drilled (purple circles). Source: UK Onshore Geophysical Library
Aurora Energy Resources has told residents it is planning to drill and frack two wells near the west Lancashire village of Great Altcar, on the edge of Formby.
In a letter dated yesterday, the company’s managing director, Ian Roche, said Aurora had begun the first stages of applying for planning permission for the proposed site on Altcar Moss.
He said the company had submitted details to Lancashire County Council of proposals to drill and frack a vertical and separate horizontal well at the site.
The wells would explore for gas in carboniferous age rocks, the company said.
Aurora said the site, which appears to be between Higher Moss and Middle Moss Lanes, was approximately 850m from the nearest properties.
Mr Roche said:
“We appreciate that the proposed development may raise some questions from local residents and businesses.”
He said the company would host a public exhibition later this month. He added that Aurora would provide a regular residents’ newsletter, establish a community liaison group and a dedicated website.
The letter said Aurora had set up a Freephone number for inquiries: 0800 170 1650 and an email address: info@altcarmoss.co.uk
Scoping request
Aurora said it had submitted a scoping request to the county council to find out what environmental assessments were needed to accompany a full planning application.
The scoping request, published on the Downholland Parish Council website, gives more details of the proposal
- The horizontal section of the second borehole will be 1,500m
- Both boreholes will be fracked and then separately flow tested
- The horizontal borehole may undergo an extended well test of up to 90 days.
- Any employment linked to the development will be time-limited and unlikely to be significant
- The site is in Flood Zone 3 area, classed as having a high probability of flooding
- There is seven protected wildlife sites within 2km of the proposed wellsite.
The exploration licence which includes Altcar Moss, PEDL164, was acquired by Aurora under the 13th licensing round in 2008. The PEDL is immediately south of Cuadrilla’s Lancashire exploration areas. Since 2008, Aurora has added three further licences in the area and now describes itself as a leading player in the exploration for new oil and gas resources in North West England.
Wells already drilled near Great Altcar wells (purple circles). Source: UK Onshore Geophysical Library
According to a map from the UK Onshore Geophysical Library, PEDL164 has seen more than 50 wells drilled already, many of them in the 1950s.
Four wells were drilled to the east and south of the village of Great Altcar in 1956-1957.
In July last year, DrillOrDrop reported that Aurora was carrying out seismic testing inland from Southport and Formby. Link
At the time of writing, a petition calling for Sefton district, which includes Great Altcar, to become a frack-free zone had attracted more than 400 signatures.
Categories: Industry
DRILL OR DROP? 
Good news.
Good news about what exactly?
Divide, and conquer.
No they won’t .Had a lovely walk on Formby beach New Years Eve was great to see lots of anti- fracking signs in the area . Now even more evidence that proves this industry is inherently unsafe and unnecessary and has no social licence .
It’s a disgrace. This is within spitting distance of a National Nature Reserve and SSSI. It’s one of the few locations in England where you can find red squirrels, natterjack toads and northern dune tiger beetles. There are more indigenous species per hectare here than anywhere else in Europe
More than 50 wells already drilled within the area-just goes to show how nature and oil/gas can co-exist without problems. Don’t believe me Jo, take a visit to the largest on-shore oil site in Europe and you will see nature reserves, SSSI and loads of lovely reptiles/lizards. Plus red squirrels and sea horses. (Avoid local beaches-you may see some naturists rather than naturalists.) Even DOD was reporting on buzzards and butterflies at a UKOG site not too long ago.
I agree though that it is a shame that lots of anti-fracking signs should despoil such areas.
Hi Martin. Are you local to the area? Just wondered if you could let me know where the 50 wells are? If you are referring to the old oil wells, they were closed down 53 years ago, basically because production was not viable, with only 1 well actually producing oil. Do you know of more recent ones? As a matter of interest where is the largest on shore oil site in Europe situated? I am intrigued that there are sea horses and red squirrels! That sounds like an interesting place for a visit!
“At the time of writing, a petition calling for Sefton district, which includes Great Altcar, to become a frack-free zone had attracted more than 400 signatures.”
It is not within the powers of local government to declare frack free zones. The correct procedure for local government is to examine each planning application on a case by case basis.
https://www.thewave.co.uk/news/local/swansea-frack-free-zone/
Sherwulfe. Just because some council’s have done this does not mean they are within their powers. Hence, any planning application rejected simply because local government declares its locale to be frack free, is open to a successful legal challenge by the applicant.
I think you are confusing the two things. A council can and has voted to have an area to be ‘frack free’.
Regarding the planning application process, do not presume a challenge would be successful. It would depend on a lot of things, including the revised local plan to accommodate the new ‘zone’.
“Had a lovely walk on Formby beach New Years Eve was great to see lots of anti- fracking signs in the area . Now even more evidence that proves this industry is inherently unsafe and unnecessary and has no social licence.” No, it is just evidence that someone has placed anti-fracking signs in the area. To extrapolate that this act proves anything else is incorrect. Beaches are very dangerous places too, but there are few signs to warn people of that!
” It’s one of the few locations in England where you can find red squirrels, natterjack toads and northern dune tiger beetles. There are more indigenous species per hectare here than anywhere else in Europe”
Jo Travis. I have not heard this remarkable claim before. Do you have evidence, such as a high quality scientific paper/study, to substantiate this claim? I would be very interested to see it.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/formby/features/sand-dune-wildlife-of-formby
As the reserve is open to the public, might be an idea to get yourself down there and take a look for yourself….
Sherwulfe, being a Lancastrian & having a degree in Zoology (as well as Geology), I am familiar with the fauna at Formby. Indeed I have been refering to it for many years in my public talks. It is the statement that “there are more indigenous species per hectare here than anywhere else in Europe”, that I take issue with.
Perhaps something to research yourself?
Am sure as you are familiar with the area, but would still recommend a visit, that you realise the importance of this particular site and would have trouble introducing an industry that could threaten its biodiversity and special heritage?
Jo Travis, for clarity it is this part of your claim “There are more indigenous species per hectare here than anywhere else in Europe” that I find remarkable.
More good news from our indigenous North sea oil and gas industry
“Production has increased over the last two years and we expect that to continue to rise.”
Read more at: https://www.scotsman.com/regions/inverness-highlands-islands/claims-that-north-sea-gas-could-run-out-in-a-decade-labelled-poor-1-4644030
With infrastructure, experienced workforce, and extraction costs far cheaper than onshore shale it looks like the North sea is where the wise investors are heading.
Quite simple John, you have no idea what the extraction costs of onshore UK shale will be, so not many wise investors following that little piece of fabrication.
Obvious what your motivation is. Some thought you were an anti, but looks as if you have investments in North Sea you want to insulate.
A supporter of indigenous oil and gas industry! Welcome back from the dark side. One sinner who repenteth etc etc.
‘Quite simple John, you have no idea what the extraction costs of onshore UK shale will be, so not many wise investors following that little piece of fabrication.’
The industry very happy to listen to and employ EY
Click to access EY-Getting-ready-for-UK-shale-gas-April-2014.pdf
The same EY who say this
https://unearthed.greenpeace.org/2015/08/20/super-low-gas-price-spells-trouble-for-fracking-in-the-uk/
More good news for indigenous North sea
https://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/BP-Cuts-North-Sea-Production-Costs-In-Half.html
North sea gas at around quarter the price of UK shale.