Protest outside Cuadrilla’s shale gas site at Preston New Road on the first day of fracking, 15 October 2018. Photo: DrillOrDrop
Cuadrilla has confirmed it has started the first frack of a horizontal shale gas well today at its site at Preston New Road near Blackpool.
DrillOrDrop will be reporting from outside the site. Anti-fracking campaigners are already gathering at the gate to show their opposition.
Fracking equipment at Cuadrilla’s Preston New Road shale gas site near Blackpool, 13 October 2018. Photo: Ros Wills
The operation, which was cancelled on Saturday (13 October 2018) because of bad weather, is the first high volume hydraulic fracture since 2011. That operation, also by Cuadrilla in Lancashire, was
linked to earthquakes.
Under the terms of the planning permission, Cuadrilla can frack from 8am-6pm Monday-Friday and 9am-1pm on Saturdays.
The company will first frack the deeper of the two wells drilled at Preston New Road.
The well is at about 2,300m below the surface and the horizontal section runs for about 800m.
Cuadrilla will frack 45 stages of the first well, one each day, starting with the one furthest from the pad.
Stages are each 15-50m long and each will use up to 765m3 (765,000 litres) of hydraulic fracturing fluid and up to 75 tonnes (75,000 kg) of sand proppant. East frack is estimated to take 90 minutes, the company has said.
This reporting has been made possible by individual donations from DrillOrDrop readers
Update on charges
Lancashire Police confirmed that Esme North, of Devon, Henry Owen, of Oxford and David Eaton, of no fixed address, (one of the lock-on protesters) were charged with depositing a thing on the highway causing injury or danger and wilfully obstructing the highway. They were bailed to appear at Blackpool Magistrates Court on 30 October 2018. The second lock-on protesters was released with no further action.
Francis Egan, chief executive of Cuadrilla, BBC North West Tonight 15 October 2018
6.40pm “All going according to plan”
Francis Egan, Cuadrilla chief executive, tells BBC North West Tonight
“Everything is going to plan. It’s a slow start. We’ve started injecting fracturing fluid into the rock. About an hour and a half worth of pumping and then we stop the pumping and we monitor the response of the rock and our engineers assess that.
“It will take about three months to complete the entire fracturing process for both horizontal wells.
“To get a site to a production level takes two or three years and then it’s producing and you won’t know it’s there.
“Natural gas should be a part of Green Week or Green Year because it is an ideal transition fuel from where we are now to where renewables are 20-305 of electricity but a lot less of energy, to where we need to get to.
“What we’re doing is actually the only way we’re going to make progress whilst “keeping people warm in their homes and cooking their food.”
6.10pm “Real threat to communities
Barbara Richardson, chair of Roseacre Awareness Group, the community group opposing Cuadrilla’s proposed second site at Roseacre Wood, tells BBC North West Tonight:
“I think it’s a real threat to communities and I think you’ll find that communities are waking up, all across England, to the what harm this will bring to their community, to their environment and to climate. I think you’ll find that the opposition is growing day by day.
“This is the beginning but I think we’re going to a new stage and I think you’ll find there’ll be far more opposition.”
Susan Holliday, resident living near Cuadrilla’s Preston New Road site, interviwed by BBC North West Tonight, 15 October 2018
6.05pm “Cuadrilla not wanted”
Susan Holliday, who lives close to Cuadrilla’s Preston New Road site, tells BBC North West Tonight:
“I don’t want Cuadrilla there with their monstrous site. The local residents said no to the fracking and that’s how we remain.”
5.10pm “Government heading in completely wrong direction”
Wenonah Hauter, Executive Director of Food & Water Europe and Food & Water Watch.
“Today’s first fracking operation in the UK in over seven years illustrates the UK government is heading in the completely wrong direction on climate change, while denying the rights of affected communities.
“The effects of climate change are already here. This summer’s drought had devastating results on European crop yields and threatened to lead to a UK food supply crisis. Unnatural disasters are occurring around the globe. It is deeply cynical that amidst these events we still talk about fracking in a country completely unsuitable for any form of it. The rights and health of people in Lancashire cannot be sacrificed for corporate interests.”
5.04pm Road contraflow lifted
Traffic flowing normally.
4.42pm Second surfer brought down
Protester brought to the ground outside Cuadrilla’s shale gas site on the day fracking began. 15 October 2018. Photo: DrillOrDrop
Removal of lorry surfer protester from van roof outside Cuadrilla’s shale gas site on the day that fracking began, 15 October 2018. Photo: DrillOrDrop
DrillOrDrop understands the two lorry surf protesters were charged with obstructing the highway and public nuisance.
4.28pm Surfer sits up and prepares to come down
Protester preparing to come down from van roof, outside Cuadrilla’s fracking site, 15 October 2018. Photo: DrillOrDrop
Removal of protester from van roof outside Cuadrilla’s shale gas site on the day fracking began, 15 October 2018. Photo: DrillOrDrop
4.23pm Lock removed from remaining lorry surfer
Police remove u-bolt from Henry Owen, the remaining lorry surfer. Esme North, the surfer who came down voluntarily, is taken by police into custody.
4.10 One lorry surfer comes down
Esme North, the woman lorry surfer, comes down voluntarily.
Lorry surfer, Esme North, coming down from the roof of a van parked outside Cuadrilla’s shale gas site on the day fracking starts, 15 October 2018. Photo: DrillOrDrop
3.15pm Crane used in protester removal
Protester prepares to come down outside Cuadrilla’s shale gas site at Preston New Road on the first day of fracking, 15 October 2018. Photo: DrillOrDrop
Crane provided by Cuadrilla to assist in removal of protester outside the company’s Preston New Road shale gas site on the first day of fracking, 15 October 2018. Photo: DrillOrDrop
A crane from the Cuadrilla site is used to stabilise the scaffolding tower. Local councillors ask for details of the police risk assessment
One of the protesters on the van roof, Henry Owen has been formally arrested. The paramedic and protester removal officer are on the top of the scaffolding tower.
2.30pm Drone flight overhead
Drone filming at Preston New Road on the day fracking started, 15 October 2018. Photo: DrillOrDrop
2.30pm “Sad day for communities across the UK”
Barbara Richardson, chair of Roseacre Awareness Group, outside Cuadrilla’s Preston New Road site, 15 October 2018. Photo: DrillOrDrop
Barbara Richardson, chair of Roseacre Awareness Group, which opposes Cuadrilla’s planned at Roseacre Wood and Preston New Road:
“It is a really sad day for this community and for all communities. However, to us it has focused attention on this issued and it is obvious that more and more people are making a stand against potentially damaging industry.
“The battle may have been lost but this is just the start of another campaign. We are in it for the long haul and we will continue to support Preston New Road.
“People in an around Roseacre are particularly concerned and fear for their way of live and health. The fact that fracking has started here has focused attention and made them realise is this is real and is happening.”
2.20pm “Nothing more important to do with your life”
Cllr Gail Hodson outside Preston New Road fracking site, 15 October 2018. Photo: DrillOrDrop
Cllr Gail Hodson, a member of West Lancashire Borough Council, says:
“This is the terrifying day we have been dreading for seven years. But we are not going anywhere. You can’t un-know what you know.
“There is no more important things to do with your life at the moment. Whatever route Cuadrilla take, we will resist them and we will win. It is not for no reason that fracking is banned in Wales, Scotland, North Ireland and Ireland, New York State and various other countries.
“The government is underestimating the resistance to this unnecessary industry when the route should be be a renewable route. What is this government thinking apart from vested interests, pressure and infiltration?”
2.16pm “Fracking is sledgehammer through climate targets”
Jonathan Bartley, co-leader of the Green Party, says:
“The Government is backing frackers to put a sledgehammer through our climate targets. Just days after the UN warned we have 12 years to face climate catastrophe fracking has started in Britain for the first time in seven years. Marking the start of Green GB Week with the start of fracking is rank hypocrisy.
“This proves just how deeply the filth of fossil fuels runs through our political establishment. The Government has forced fracking on Lancashire after the community said no and now drilling has started before all their concerns have been fully heard or answered.
“Public support for fracking is in freefall and the anti-fracking movement will continue to go from strength to strength. To tackle the scale of climate breakdown ministers must commit to keeping fossil fuels in the ground where they belong, and investing instead in a renewable revolution for the future.”
2.15pm “Increasing numbers realise they have to do something”
Cllr Gina Dowding outside Cuadrilla’s Preston New Road site, 15 October 2018. Photo: DrillOrDrop
Green Party Lancashire County Councillor, Gina Dowding, says
“It is a bad day for the war against climate breakdown. But the number fo people here shows this is just the start of the real campaign against this industry.
“The irony of the situation is that only a week ago the IPCC said just how serous was the need for action. Increasing numbers of people are realising they have to do more and are joining this campaign up and down the county.
“So when Nathalie Bennett was here on Saturday, she said ‘we are witnessing a climate crime’. When the police try to corral protesters, the real crime is taking place on the other side of the fence.
“I am absolutely confident that we will win because there is not even an economic argument for this industry anymore and the government and business are going to realise that quite quickly.”
2.10pm “Start of fracking in Green GB week”
Green Party MEP Keith Taylor links government-backed fracking with Green Great Britain week.
1.45pm “Deep disappointment”
A spokeswoman for the Preston New Road community group says:
“We are deeply disappointed that despite many ongoing concerns and challenges, the decision to progress fracking at this time has been taken.
“Over 100,000 people objected to this fracking application. In addition, our parish council, Fylde Borough Council and Lancashire County Council rejected the application. They had a duty of care to local residents and they fulfilled that duty. [1]
“The wishes and democratic decisions of our community have been ignored by the government in favour of an industry that does nothing to enhance our climate or environment.
“There are now hundreds of scientific studies [2]that have already identified risks and actual harms resulting from fracking. The UK government have blatantly ignored them all.”
1.40pm “Resistance will only get stronger”
North West Friends of the Earth tweets:
“Local communities have led the movement against fracking in Lancashire and up and down the country. As much-delayed fracking sadly gets underway, the resistance to climate-wrecking fossil fuels will only get bigger!
1.20pm “Morally bankrupt”
Craig Bennett, Friends of the Earth chief executive, said:
“The world’s leading climate scientists have published findings that couldn’t be starker: to have a hope of containing global warming we must take action now.
“Yet, ironically, on the same day the government boldly asks how it can reduce carbon emissions to zero, fracking begins. It is morally bankrupt to be heralding the start of a whole new fossil fuel industry when climate catastrophe awaits. You can deal with climate change or you can have fracking – you can’t do both.”
“They’ve been trying to frack in Lancashire for over seven years but people power has kept this dirty industry at bay. Now, because the industry has failed to take-off, the government wants to fast-track fracking and make it easier to drill across the English countryside. We’ll keep campaigning until fracking is stopped here and everywhere.”
1.15pm Cuadrilla says fracking has started
A statement from Cuadrilla says:
“Cuadrilla is pleased to confirm that it has started hydraulic fracturing operations at our Preston New Road shale gas exploration site. Hydraulic fracturing of both horizontal exploration wells is expected to last three months after which the flow rate of the gas will be tested.”
There’s a subdued response to the news outside the site. Campaigners cheer the protesters who are still on top of a van in the entrance. Some cars passing the site hoot in support of the opponents.
approx 1pm Road reopens
Sadie and Dave, the two people who locked themselves together outside the farm run by the owner of Cuadrilla’s shale gas site, are cut out and arrested. They are charged with causing a public nuisance. The road reopens with a contraflow.
11.30am Van surfer locks neck with u-bolt
Henry Owen, one of the campaigners on top of a van outside Cuadrilla’s shale gas site locks his neck to the scaffolding structure as a member of the police protester removal team climbs the tower to talk to him.
Campaigner locks on by his neck to the structure on a van outside Cuadrilla’s shale gas site, 15 October 2018. Photo: DrillOrDrop
Campaigner locks on by his neck to the structure on a van outside Cuadrilla’s shale gas site, 15 October 2018. Photo: DrillOrDrop
Police protester removal team at Cuadrilla’s Preston New Road shale gas site on the day fracking starts, 15 October 2018. Photo: DrillOrDrop
10.45am Police cutting out lock-on protesters
A police protester removal team is releasing campaigners who locked-on outside the farm run by the owner of Cuadrilla’s shale gas site.
10.40am Camera crews interview protesters
Protest outside Cuadrilla’s shale gas site at Preston New Road on the first day of fracking, 15 October 2018. Photo: DrillOrDrop
10.39am Cuadrilla clarifies A J Lucas statement
A J Lucas made a statement early this morning that hydraulic fracturing stimulation had commenced. A spokesperson for Cuadrilla confirms
“I can see why it may be misinterpreted however they meant the HF operations ie including running the tools into the well which is part of the hydraulic fracturing operations to the industry. And we did start that on Saturday once the winds died down.
“I can confirm we did not actually fracture any rock on Saturday – that will start today.”
9.55am Protester removal team building scaffolding tower
Protester removal team at Preston New Road protest, 15 October 2018. Photo: DrillOrDrop
9.40am Campaigner locks on
Esme North, one protester on top of a van blocking the entrance of Cuadrilla’s shale gas site, locks on to a scaffolding structure. The protester removal team begins unloading equipment.
Lock-on protest on top of vehicle outside Cuadrilla’s shale gas site, 15 October 2018. Photo: DrillOrDrop
9.20am Police protester removal team arrive
8.30am Four police vans at the site entrance
Protest outside Cuadrilla’s shale gas site at Preston New Road on the day that fracking is due to start, 15 October 2018. Photo: DrillOrDrop
Reclaim the Power protest outside Cuadrilla’s shale gas site at Preston New Road, 15 October 2018. Photo: DrillOrDrop
8am Permitted time for the start of fracking
Under the terms of planning permission, Cuadrilla can frack between 8am and 6pm at the Preston New Road site
Entrance of Cuadrilla’s Preston New Road shale gas, 15 October 2018. Photo: DrillOrDrop
7.30am Road closed because of protest
Police have closed Preston New Road between the turning to Wrea Green and the B&Q roundabout. They said this was because of the protest outside the landowner’s farm.
Van surfing protest outside Cuadrilla’s Preston New Road shale gas site, 15 October 2018. Photo: DrillOrDrop
Van surfing protest outside Cuadrilla’s Preston New Road shale gas site, 15 October 2018. Photo: DrillOrDrop
7am Lock on protest outside landowner’s farm
Two people lock themselves together on one side of the A583, outside the farm run by the owner of Cuadrilla’s site.
Lock-on protest outside the farm of the owner of the Preston New Road site at about 7am, 15 October 2018. Photo: Richard Marshall
Lock-on protest outside the farm of the owner of the Preston New Road site at about 7am, 15 October 2018. Photo: Richard Marshall
4.30am Lorry surfing protest at site gates
Anti-fracking campaigners take part in lorry surfing protest outside Cuadrilla’s site entrance, at about 6am,, 15 October 2018. Photo: Eddie Thornton
The campaign group, Reclaim the Power, said it was carrying out the protest. Charlie Edwards, for the group said:
“Today the government have launched their “Green Great Britain” week – a tokenistic attempt to hide a series of climate wrecking decisions such as expanding Heathrow airport and forcing fracking on the local communities.
“After granting permission to frack earlier in the summer, last week Energy Minister had the hypocrisy to say there was “no excuse” for inaction on climate change. So we’re here today to stop the start of fracking, and show Claire Perry what real action on climate change looks like”.
Henry Owen, one of the people locked on, said:
“Claire Perry has referred to the opposition to fracking as a ‘travelling circus’, but the only joke here is Cuadrilla and the government thinking that fracking at Preston New Road is a win for the industry.
“There’s no way that these companies will reach their requirements of thousands of wells when a single site has been met by this much local and national resistance. Fracking at Preston New Road is just a desperate attempt to snatch profit and save face as the industry dies. Local people have been leading the resistance for years. We know we’re winning and across the UK more people are still saying no to fracking”.
Protest outside Cuadrilla’s shale gas site at Preston New Road at about 6am as the company prepares for the UK’s first high volume frack since 2011, 15 October 2018. Photo: Eddie Thornton
1.30am A J Lucas press release says fracking started
A press statement from one of Cuadrilla’s major funders, the Australian mining group, A J Lucas, said hydraulic fractures stimulation started over the weekend. This appears to contradict the statement made by a Cuadrilla spokesperson on Saturday (DrillOrDrop report).
This reporting was made possible by individual donations from DrillOrDrop readers
Categories: Industry
DRILL OR DROP? 
Don’t Cuadrilla have an injunction to protect them against this sort of lunatic behaviour? When you see photos like this it really does make you question the sanity of the protesters. Who in their right mind would lock their neck to a flimsy structure 15 feet in the air? The irony is that, should the well be a success, it will actually help lower the UK’s carbon footprint, which is exactly what the protesting clowns want! Total buffoonery.
No, it won’t lower the UK’s carbon footprint because the government deliberately ignore the methane emissions from such operations which have a much greater effect (80x) on #climatechange over the first 20 years than the carbon emissions. It is these uncounted emissions which make gas dirtier than coal and will stop us staying within the 2C temperature rise, never mind the 1.5C rise that the recent IPCCC report will be devastating and which we only have 12 years to avert.
Rather revealing that the multiple ‘photos identify a rather high volume of fossil fuel derived products utilised by the protestors.
“Don’t do as we do, do as we say” is not something that will appeal to the general public.
Oh, it hasn’t, as the majority are not against UK test fracking.
67% chance of commercial success?
An awful lot less chance if the investors were given all the facts.
Maybe 6.7% truth be known.
Amazing how gullible people trying to make money from nothing can be.
UK shale only question to would be investors should be,
‘can you join the dots?’
Answer yes…..No you can’t invest
Answer No……Welcome. Give us your cash.
The truth has a habit of finding it’s way out in time.
Any protests from pro frackers at BAE Warton today?
Anti anti’s oppose the import of LNG from Qatar so presumably they object to our aircraft deal worth £5 billion. A great shame as Lancashires BAE is one of our great engineering industries and employs thousands.
Losing that for a hood winked investors, not needed, dirty expensive fossil fuel which we cannot afford to burn would have been ridiculous.
http://www.itv.com/news/granada/2017-12-10/lancashire-based-bae-systems-announces-5bn-aircraft-contract/
John, who is objecting to importing LNG from Qatar? The only people who object to this are some of those being quoted in the article, Enemies of Industry, Gina Dowding, Keith Taylor, all of who object to any fossil fuels and wish the UK to unilaterally step back in time and destroy all our industry and way of life. What is wrong with Qatar (trick question for you)? Phil C will tell you – perhaps he is at Warton? Clearly you are more comfortable dealing with Qatar than Lancashire and selling planes to Qatar? An odd position for an anti? If gas from Qatar is cheaper than gas from Lancashire we should use gas from Qatar. Fugitive emissions are a misconception in any case.
‘If gas from Qatar is cheaper than gas from Lancashire we should use gas from Qatar’
Gas from the North sea and piped gas from Norway is cheaper than LNG which is cheaper than UK shale.
No viable market for UK shale. Dearest of them all.
That’s always been your biggest problem John – you don’t know the price of Bowland Shale gas, none of us do. But we will have an idea next year. Please don’t quote the usual BS by Statoil etc., we have seen it hundreds of times before.
‘you don’t know the price of Bowland Shale gas, none of us do’
Thanks for the opportunity to post that no one with any credibility has ever said these figures are incorrect.
You mean apart from experts some of which either support or have investment in UK shale
Bloomberg 47 – 81p per therm
OIES 49 – 102p per therm
EY 53 -79p per therm
Centrica 46 – 66p per therm
It’s hilarious that you criticise experts and offer nothing. Usual pro shale waffle.
https://unearthed.greenpeace.org/2015/01/08/gas-price-plunge-made-uk-fracking-unprofitable/
Basic trends show that UK shale gas would not even break even by 2023 and beyond
https://www.statista.com/statistics/374970/united-kingdom-uk-gas-price-forecast/
John Powney, if UK shale gas is so expensive then you have nothing to write about. There will be no industry and no more wells. You may be used to having the government as the final arbiter of energy production so this may be new to you, but when free markets operate then production will go to those who are most efficient.
In any event, many investors believe that Bowland shale will ultimately produce gas far less expensively than foreign fracked gas. We shall see!
John, you can’t help yourself can you? Just look at the spread you posted – 66p – 102p. Clearly accurate forecasts +/- 40-60%. With the exception of possibly Centrica they don’t have any idea. And Centrica will not be publishing their economics. But as you clearly believe these numbers why bother typing anything on this blog? Or is there a lingering doubt that this may, just may, actually be commercial??? There must be some reason why you persist with attacking a clearly (in your mind) none commercial venture which will never get off the ground? Or is this BB posting your day job? Or are you scared that INEOS will farm in as operator? I would be.
That’s right MARTIN,
What will certainly not APPEAL to the ” general public ” living in the Desolate North, is those who sit in safe electoral seats with their families far, FAR away from Fracking sacrifice test zones, dictating to them how they should just roll over and accept it.
MARTIN ,
The ” general public ” will also NOT like Australian investors of A.J Lucas ( Cuadrilla 47 % owned by A.J Lucas ) as you said in a previous post, quote, ” laughing about the whinging poms ” who are concerned about the enviournment they live in and their children’s future .
I’m sure those Australian investors are gleefully rubbing their hands at the thought of SUCKING any profits made at the Cuadrilla PNR back to Australia.
A really sad day for us Anti Frackers who have fought hard to prevent this day and will continue to fight on despite todays developments. I read the comments on Drill or Drop with interest digesting both sides of the argument. I still believe that fracking will prove to be a mistake along with our failure to combat climate change in time to make a difference. It will not be me or my generation that sees the long term effects but I feel for my children and grandchildren and the future we are leaving them.
Derek, you can find some solace in the fact that relying more on domestic fracked gas can curb the use of coal and reduce GHG emissions, just as has happened in the US.
US shale looses billions of dollars
https://www.desmogblog.com/2018/05/04/wall-street-shale-oil-fracking-revolution-losing-billions-continental-resources
DEREK , lets sieve through the Cock and Bull and Cut To The Chase.
Fracking is a complete disaster for climate change reduction .
Take a look at this chart on US Methane emissions .
A dirty little secret.
https://www.economist.com/business/2016/07/23/a-dirty-little-secret
Also what about this from the world’s leading authority on Climate Change , NASA scientist , Professor James Hansen says, quote, ” Fracking is the world’s worst fossil fuel.”
https://amp.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/13/top-climate-scientist-james-hansen-attacks-uk-fracking-plans
Maybe you want to read some more data from NASA.
NASA just made a stunning discovery about how fracking fuels global warming
https://thinkprogress.org/nasa-study-fracking-global-warming-0fa0c5b5f5c7/
Anyone pregnant should get the hell out of there NOW.
Jane
What is the area from which you advise pregnant women to flee from, and where would you advise them to flee to?
The Pennsylvania report (well linked to on DoD, but not well discussed ) gives an average low birth rate of 5.6%, which is stripped of multiple births. Being within 1KM of a well gave a 25% uplift in probability (up 1.4% to 7%)
The Pennsylvania average is 8% (2016) with all categories in there.
The UK average all in is 7%, with Lancashire County Council giving the stripped data as 2.8% for the county.
https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/lancashire-insight/health-and-care/maternity-and-infancy/low-birth-weight/
So where to flee to?
It seems you need to flee from Blackburn and Darwen, where your risk of low birth weight is around 80% higher than the national average, well in excess of a 25% uplift from living within 1KM of a frack well.
The rate in Blackpool is 0.7% higher than the national average, which is 25%. Lancashire CC says this is similar to the UK average, but 25% higher is what you get living within 1KM of a frack well.
So maybe all the pregnant residents of Blackpool should flee as well.
Anyway – data below and lots on the web.
Better to discuss it with the doc if worried and follow NHS guidance.
There are a lot of factors affecting low birth weight, such as young births, multiple births, poverty, smoking, drugs, alcohol, fitness, quality of relationship, diet, weight, stress and so on.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/health-matters-giving-every-child-the-best-start-in-life/health-matters-giving-every-child-the-best-start-in-life
Re the Pennsylvania report, interesting to read, and more work required, They do not yet know what causes the affect, and although there are some thoughts as to what it may be (fumes from additional traffic, dust from unmade roads, stress), they say more work is required. Something to look forward to.
Cut and paste ….
Low birth weight of term babies (2016)
In Lancashire-12, 2.8% of all live births at term are low birth weight, this is similar to the England rate (2.8%).
Across the Lancashire-12 districts, in Burnley the percentage of all live births at term with low birth weight (4.5%) is higher than the England rate.
In Blackburn with Darwen the percentage of all live births at term with low birth weight (5.1%) is higher than the England rate (third highest in England) whilst the Blackpool rate (3.5%) is similar to the England rate.
Between 2005 and 2016, in Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool and Lancashire-12 there has been no significant change in the percentage of all live births at term with low birth weight.
Low birth weight of all babies (2016)
In Lancashire-12, 7.9% of still and live births of all babies are low birth weight; this is significantly worse than England (7.3%).
In Blackburn with Darwen the rate is 12.4%, significantly above the England rate.
In Blackpool 7.9% of still and live births are of low birth weight; this is similar to the England rate.
Very low birth weight of all babies (2016)
In Lancashire-12, 1.4% of still and live births of all babies are very low birth weight; this is similar to England (1.2%).
Blackburn with Darwen (2.0%) is significantly worse than England, while Blackpool (0.9%) is similar.
3.15pm update – Henry has been formally arrested. [Edited by moderator]
Remember now….
small seismic events equals not enough gas to keep investors on the hook….
As they say…
Little frack, nothing back.
You can only hope John. Let’s review this next January.
‘You can only hope John’
The hope for the industry rests on the investors not putting the pieces together. I think they are quietly on with that.
“Local councillors ask for details of the police risk assessment” – this is really getting farcical – local councillors won’t understand a risk assessment. If they do, they should ask Reclaim the Power for there’s and Henry “Darwin” for his. If they had undertaken one they wouldn’t be there…..
Pro frackers happy to enjoy the open countryside but not in support of of others protecting the environment.
Criticise but stay indoors would be appropriate.
https://www.newstatesman.com/culture/nature/2017/04/mass-trespass-opened-gates-countryside
“Criticise but stay indoors would be appropriate.”
A bit like being excitable about protesting but leaving it to the more foolhardy to man the front line?
John,
I walk in the countryside every day, plus at least once a week in the Lakes. I wouldn’t walk around PNR / Rosacre etc, with or without Cuadrilla. It is boring farmland and no doubt only used by locals. I have never met anyone who would travel down there to go for a walk. However there are plenty who come up to North Lancs to walk.
Loss of amenity is the same regardless of whether local or not. Just because you choose to walk the obvious over trodden tourist route does not mean others have too and in actual fact using local footpaths should be encouraged. It eases footpath erosion on high traffic routes, has lower emissions as travel to a walk is minimised and in some circumstances keeps permissive paths open.
John Powney
That would be, not supporting others who protest against something?
What was the Environmental link to the mass trespass. I can see a protest link, but not a clear Environmental link.
Lots of benefits to those who wish to roam.
Plus, where did you get the idea that to walk the hills you have to be an anti fracker?
[Comment removed by moderator]
The animals, the animals, trapped, trapped, trapped ’till the cage is full,
The cage is full, stay awake, in the dark, count mistakes..
Still waiting for evidence that sufficient indemnity insurance is in place to reimburse those businesses who operate in the tourism and farming sectors on the Fylde.
Still waiting for evidence that personal liability insurance is in place for the lives and health of the 250,000 residents of the Fylde and the millions of visitors.
Should I be detected driving my car without insurance I would be prosecuted!
Seriously this establishment and judicial system is the most corrupt worldwide? !?
You have a long wait Peter k roberts. And you clearly haven’t travelled very far / often.
Has the new Police Station fallen down yet? Or was that another Roberts who predicted that? How is your drinking water?
Hi Paul, as these first two horizontal wells are much shorter than those predicted the pressure involved will be equally much less than that required for high volume fracking for profitable production.
So I expect eventual harm will be caused to the aquifers under the Fylde as abandoned wells eventually fail as experienced in mature fracking locations elsewhere.
I don’t expect immediate harm to property otherwise be caused by these first two tests unless Cuadrilla and Schlumberger have either made a bad error, like drilling in a fault zone or are plain unlucky.
Tragically however I do believe that residents within the Fylde will have their health damaged in the medium to long term from carcegenic airborne toxins distributed by flaring.
Peter, can you explain why pressure would be any different for an 800 m horizontal vs. longer? Industry standard practice is that fracking takes place in stages with longer laterals requiring more stages but not more pressure. I would be interested to know where you have sourced your information.
Have you factored into your tragic analysis the reduction in particulate matter, co2, mercury, sox, nox, and other airborne pollutants that will be eliminated as gas replaces coal?
Thanks!
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Bit of a damp squid in the end.
Currently enjoying this autumn sunshine and feeling pretty happy doing my part for climate change in supporting the reduction of coal.
Anyone see the figures from China for gas imports? Huge increase in gas consumption as they wean themselves off the black stuff. Good news all around.
Henry and Esme (??) to join Richard Roberts, Simon Blevins and Rich Loizou for a short holiday? Well done Reclaim the Power! Perhaps some more famous people will be joining them tomorrow?
“DrillOrDrop understands they were charged with obstructing highway and public nuisance.”
‘Anyone see the figures from China for gas imports’
Anyone spotted how Cuadrilla is connected to China
http://www.refracktion.com/index.php/shale-gas-take-away-anyone/
Anyone spotted China is leading the way with renewables. The country is the largest investor in renewable energy, sinking $126.6 billion into the industry in 2017, a 30% increase from the year prior.
http://uk.businessinsider.com/china-solar-renewable-energy-panda-farm-2018-6
Anyone spotted how US shale is pushing America into recession.
https://www.cnbc.com/2018/07/13/risks-rising-that-oil-prices-will-cause-next-recession.html
Shale energy. Bad news all round.
John
It has been mentioned on here before ( a few times ) that China are
1. Reducing coal use ( for power generation, coal for industry is a bit different ).
2. Increasing gas use
3. Increasing investment in renewables
Indeed to such an extent that it is China and who will determine whether global CO2 targets are met, nothing to do with a small player such as the UK ( despite our lead in offhore wind ).
But you need to include India as well ( have fun looking at that ).
Re oil prices, it was American fracking that worries OPEC hence low oil prices.
That battle failed while Obama was about.
Now that that the ‘keep it in the ground’ champion, Donald Trump is in power, he wants it kept on the ground in Iran, but not USA.
He is also keen to keep coal in the ground in Australia, but mine it in the USA ( coking coal ).
Keen to keep Russian coal,in the ground
Not a fan of Canadian coal …..
( as an aside, maybe RTP is a Trump funded group wedded to high oil proces to benefit fracking … but not likely in my opinion… too far fetched).
That coupled to infrastructure bottlenecks in the prime frack areas of the US has spooked the market. But more fracking will lead to lower oil prices and less risk of an oil,price driven recession.
Paul Tresto refers to locals, obviously not a local then. Why should it be important to you? local people, local decision made, completely overridden, now protested against! What is your problem? We will live with it, you don’t.
Not sure what you are referring to Lisette? The protestors in jail are not local; I doubt the ones arrested today are either? I live in Lancashire, with Bowland Shale below me, no drilling yet, it may come, it may not. No problem either way.
I have spent over 30 years in the oil and gas industry, many months living away from home on oil and gas drilling and production locations in some of the world’s most inhospitable places. And even supervising a well in Lancashire which was pretty good – we got to buy our food in M & S in Bolton…..No M & S in the Sudd Swamp or the Libyan Desert or Shabwa in Yemen or even the Falklands…
The decison to approve PNR was made within the planning system just like any other development – recommended for approval by the planning officer, refused by the Council due to fanatical lobbying by a minority, recommended for approval by a Planning Inspector after a Public Inquiry and rubber stamped by the SOS. Please stop going on about local democracy. You lot don’t have any idea about the real world.
Roseacre Wood was refused by the planning inspector at the first inquiry though, so the Secretary of State ordered another inquiry to give Cuadrilla another go.
Pauline – yes we know, decision in January – after the results of PNR. This article is about fracking starting at PNR?
I always thought Roseacre was going to be refused, one would be approved and one refused. The clear winner was PNR as it didn’t have the highways issues that come with Roseacre. The planning officer recommended refusal of Roseacre – a major difference to PNR.
Perhaps the SOS was fed up with the protesting, a pet hate of his, so he decided to let Cuadrilla have another go? Fed up with being told what to do by FOE / Greenpeas / Mrs Lucas / Vivian Westwood etc. I still think it will be refused.
By the way I also believe the planning system for onshore wells should stay the same – permitted development is not the way to go. But Councils need to stay within the statutory time limits and appeals need to be heard faster.
Paul T if Roseacre Wood is recommended refusal again by the PI and the SoS actually follows the advice how do you think this might affect the roll out of the industry on the Fylde and in the country more widely?
PNR is obviously straight off the SRN so transport objections would always be tenuous but in terms of road access Roseacre Wood is not that unusual a setting in rural Lancashire. If it is shown that a TMP cannot ensure safe and sustainable development in this type of rural setting then the availability of development land for shale exploration will be severely limited, most likely to the point that it cannot be economic.
So why bother at all unless the Government always intended to throw current planning guidance in the bin to assist the industry. And if this is the case does it become the thin end of the wedge in terms of the industrialisation of the countryside with other industries then demanding to receive the same favourable treatment as onshore unconventional gas?
I realise this article is about PNR. My point was that you claim that the decision to approve at PNR was made within the planning system with the planning officers and planning inspector recommending approval. This may be so. My point was that Roseacre Wood was made within the planning system with the local planning officers and even the planning inspector recommending refusal. However, the Secretary of State has still been minded to give Cuadrilla another chance. That can hardly be said to be democratic.
And, of course the previous 4, didn’t have an injunction to breach.
Some more votes the Tories will not have against them next election. Cunning plan, Claire. Now for a few more who belong to organisations with funds and Hammond will be smiling.