Fence artwork outside Cuadrilla’s shale gas site at Preston New Road, 26 October 2018. Photo: Ros Wills
Updated at 1.30pm on 11 December 2018
The largest earth tremor so far at Cuadrilla’s fracking site near Blackpool was recorded this morning, measuring 1.5ML. The company said it would stop operations for at least 18 hours.
The British Geological Survey reported the 1.5ML (local magnitude) seismic event at 11.21am. This followed a series of nine smaller tremors at the Preston New Road site earlier this morning
Residents and observers near the Preston New Road site reported hearing the fracking pumps running.
1.5ML is the same level as one of a series of tremors recorded after fracking by Cuadrilla at Preese Hall in 2011. After those tremors, the government imposed a one-year moratorium on fracking.
In a statement today, Cuadrilla said:
“A series of micro seismic events in Blackpool have been recorded on the British Geological Survey website this morning following hydraulic fracturing at our shale gas exploration site in Preston New Road, Lancashire.
“The largest recorded was 1.5ML (local magnitude) at about 11.20am. This occurred after hydraulic fracturing had finished for the day. According to recent research by the University of Liverpool the impact would be like dropping a melon. A series of smaller micro seismic events occurred during hydraulic fracturing, beginning at about 9.40am.
“Cuadrilla will pause and continue to monitor micro seismicity for at least the next 18 hours, in line with the traffic light system regulations. Well integrity has been checked and verified.”
Relative magnitude of seismic events at Cuadrilla’s Preston New Road shale gas site near Blackpool. Chart: Refracktion.com
Today’s seismic activity was in almost the same place as another tremor yesterday, measuring -0.3.
Yesterday’s seismic activity was the first since 4 November 2018. (DrillOrDrop tremor tracker)
Prof Roy Thompson FRSE, Professor Emeritus and Honorary Professorial Fellow Univ. Edinburgh.
Extract from British Geological Survey record of seismic activity in the UK, 11 December 2018
Cuadrilla confirmed yesterday that fracking had resumed at Preston New Road. There had been no previous company statements that fracking was underway for several weeks. DrillOrDrop understands that fracking paused on 2 November 2018.
There have now been a total of 47 seismic events around the Preston New Road site since fracking began on 15 October 2018.
Almost all the events were too small to feel at the surface – but today’s 1.5ML event was felt, as was an earlier 1.1ML event.
Operators are required to pause fracking for 18 hours under the traffic light regulations if operations trigger a tremor of 0.5ML or above. Cuadrilla has confirmed that it has paused fracking on three occasions since 15 October 2018.
Opponents of Cuadrilla’s activities have voiced concerns about the impact of earth movements on the integrity of the well. The company has said there have been no well integrity issues at Preston New Road.
Tony Bosworth, Friends of the Earth campaigner, said:
“Within a day of Cuadrilla re-starting fracking in Lancashire, there has already been another earthquake which means they’ve had to down tools.
“It appears that they cannot frack without triggering tremors. And instead of acknowledging that fracking needs to end, Cuadrilla are instead urging for regulations around earthquakes to be relaxed.
“We’ve always said that fracking poses risks for our climate and environment. After today’s quake, and with the effects of climate breakdown already happening around us, isn’t it time to put a stop to fracking once and for all?”
A spokesperson for Lancashire for Shale said:
“Microseismic activity like this goes hand-in-hand with minerals and energy extraction, and is to be expected. Fortunately, it is typically too small to notice, and the only reason we know about it at Preston New Road is because of the dense network of surface sensors that Cuadrilla and the British Geological Survey are using to monitor then transparently report on fracking-related seismicity.
“In this particular instance, the British Geological Survey says that some people report having felt the tremor, but researchers at the University of Liverpool say a 1.5 ML microseismic event occurring at a depth of two kilometres, where the fracking is taking place, would only produce surface vibration equivalent to dropping a honeydew melon on the floor.
“Cuadrilla will now pause, intensify its monitoring and check the integrity of its well in accordance with the Traffic Light System of controls agreed with the Oil and Gas Authority.”
Categories: Regulation
DRILL OR DROP? 
Frack it
Crack it
Fall down the ravine
God save the Queen
http://www.sxolsout.org.uk/index.html
You might want to correct the 11ML!
No. Leave it. A nice sign post to how data can signal something that reality denies.
Is it really worth reporting this? ‘Crying wolf’ springs to mind. And I’m saying this as an ‘anti’. You know how excited the ‘pros’ get when given such ammunition. 0.5 or above please.
In fairness to DoD PhilipP I would guess the reason for posting this and yesterday’s events was to show a link between the new seismic activity and the big Cs recommencement of fracturing on site.
But as you say this is going to be the norm from now on for as long as Caudrillas activities on the Fylde continue.
I think PhilipP (well, assume) that Cuadrilla should be now starting to test their revised methodology, as they have previously outlined. If this is the case, then to observe seismic activity against the previous observations may be interesting. The objective was to control seismic activity more but achieve better fracture. So, I would expect a period of “revised” fracking and then some more checking of gas output.
Time will tell.
Meanwhile, you can observe the recent “quake” in the N.Sea, grasp that ammunition and call for that to be closed down, based on the beloved precautionary principle.
Link to the article please Martin.
Cuadrilla have the results from Preese Hall. They know what gas flow rates you get when you induce a 2.3 magnitude earthquake.
After Preese Hall they asked for an even higher threshold.
“The initial threshold for cessation of operations proposed was 1.7 ML. This was based on the critical magnitude 2.6 ML and a maximum post-injection magnitude increase of 0.9”
The extra sand and more flow back trials to keep tremors at 0.5 magnitude don’t appear to be working.
A bit more pressure from the investors to get results might be enough for Cuadrilla to risk higher events…….which may get them shut down.
Decisions, decisions.
Ban on shale gas in the Netherlands is now a fact.
Not good news for Cuadrilla who have been fighting to reinstate their suspended licences.
https://www.schaliegasvrij.nl/category/nieuws/
So what’s The Labour Party standpoint on U.K Gas production?
September 2017
John McDonnell outside the PNR site reported by DOD
The Shadow Chancellor, John McDonnell, promised Labour’s support to protesters outside Cuadrilla’s fracking site near Blackpool during a visit this afternoon.
https://drillordrop.com/2017/09/15/shadow-chancellor-promises-support-to-protesters-during-visit-to-cuadrillas-fracking-site/
December 2018
John McDonnell Shadow Chancellor pledges to support oil and gas
Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell yesterday said he would produce a tax regime that supports the oil and gas industry if Labour wins power at a General Election.
https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/politics/holyrood/1627367/shadow-chancellor-pledges-to-support-oil-and-gas/
So for all you Labour luvvies out there, suck it up…
But no mention of fracking in that commitment to O&G so it’s safe to presume the Labour party’s position still stands.
So for all you Neo Con Bamber Bridge based call centre sock puppets out there, suck that up.
Back of the net Crem
But I thought you were all against fossil fuels, that is the underlying argument?
Own Goal, me thinks…
Nope that is you making an assumption based on prejudice Kish.
I think John McDonnell is looking after Scottish government interest rather than the UK oil and gas industry in general. Shut down UK shale will make White Hall dependent on Scottish North Sea revenue and of course Scottish wind turbine generation.
So it is naive to think he has Brittish energy security at heart.
So after 6 weeks of analysing and planning how to frack here without causing tremors they have managed to unleash a 1.5Ml within 26 hours of restarting.
The only thing dropping like a melon to the floor will be the AJL share price.
Wonder if Kish felt that one? though to be fair to him it’s a but of distance from PNR to Bamber Bridge.
Kirkham as you are well aware. Nothing felt.
What about your location?
Just outside Moscow?
my credentials aren’t in question Kish, yours as indicated by your failure to locate the Fylde on a map clearly are.
Ohh yes they are, crembrule. Your failure to be aware of local news is clearly an issue!
However, why is this suddenly about location? If so, why are you not down at PNR telling many of the antis it is not any of their business as they are not locals, and they are adding to climate change by travelling from all parts of the UK?
Martin post the link my old China, let’s see about my credentials
Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell yesterday said he would produce a tax regime that supports the oil and gas industry if Labour wins power at a General Election
Earlier this year, UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn signalled he could order a review of oil and gas taxes if he gains the keys to Downing Street
So now it is clear what Jeremy’s plans are… In favour of oil & Gas…
A Labour Government right behind oil & Gas…
But not UK shale. Happy to help Kish!
Billy knows – https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dW66keO8Iew&feature=youtu.be
Billy sure does…
and Bobby knows why…
One of favorite artists and song. And actor/actress in the movies Jewel of the Niles. Katherleen Turner and Michael Douglas and De Vito.
Surely the end is nigh for fracking Lancashire?
Or do we have to wait until Wensley’s Farm and the Horse Sanctuary, both facilitators of fracking, disappear down a very deep hole?
Oh Peter all you antis aren’t fans of penny farm horse sanctuary for letting the police use their facilities.
Blocking the gates when penny farm has fund raising days…
Such nice people, the antis…
Penny Farm is a registered horse charity. I wonder if those supporting it realise that the site is being used as the hub of the police Operation Manila which is enabling an activity which is known to be detrimental to the health and wellbeing of horses amongst other animals.
Pauline,
Very well said!
Thank you.
I think that protesting outside Penny Farm, along with outside Fylde Rugby Club and AFC Fylde, all of which have been done to raise awareness of their assistance to Cuadrilla in brainwashing the Fylde public, was low key and not intended to interfere with any activities in these locations.
Shut it down. Put us all out of our misery.
Just exactly what misery are you talking about? Are you against natural Gas?
If so turn your gas hob off, go to the ocorner of your kitchen and turn your gas boiler off, when you pass your electric consumer unit, flick the switch off and finally take a cold dark walk upstairs and stand under a freezing cold shower…
That’s misery…
There is no need for fracked gas. Even the government’s own reports admit that.
So, why are the UK currently importing it?
Really good day for electricity from intermittent renewables…
Wind 9% Solar 0%
Gas 48%
Your choice???