Keep up to date with 2026’s news with our digest of daily updated headlines about the business, regulation and campaigns around UK fracking, shale, and onshore oil and gas..
We’ll be reporting this year on new proposals, reactions to them, key decisions, legal actions and site clean-ups.
Photo: Frack Free Coastal Communities
Friday 23 January 2026
Council warned of legal “minefield” over Burniston fracking definition. DrillOrDrop reports that council planners who have backed plans for lower-volume fracking at Burniston in North Yorkshire have been warned they risk opening a “can of worms” over legal definitions.
Thursday 22 January 2026
Planners back Burniston gas drilling and lower-volume fracking. DrillOrDrop reports that North Yorkshire planners are recommending approval of plans by Europa Oil & Gas Limited to drill for gas and carry out a form of lower volume fracking at Burniston, near Scarborough.
Wednesday 21 January 2026
MP and councils join calls for Burniston decision delay. DrillOrDrop reports that an MP and leaders of four local councils are urging a delay to the decision on gas drilling and lower volume fracking near Scarborough.
Ministers “reviewing” low volume fracking. DrillOrDrop reports the UK government has said in a parliamentary petition response that it is reviewing low volume frackng operations in the onshore oil and gas industry.
Tuesday 20 January 2026
“Gloves off” in dispute over gas drilling and fracking in Burniston. DrillOrDrop reports that two sides in a planning dispute over gas drilling and lower volume fracking near Scarborough have accused each other of making misleading claims, just ten days before a decision is due.
Further invalid requisition of general meeting. Union Jack Oil reports it has received a second requisition noticed from former director, Craig Howie. Union Jack said it did not consider the notice to be valid. Mr Howie withdrew the notice, the company said.
Monday 19 January 2026
Company profile: Europa Oil & Gas Limited. DrillOrDrop reports on the firm that has been making headlines since it announced controversial plans a year ago for gas drilling and lower-volume fracking in the North Yorkshire village of Burniston, near Scarborough.
Union Jack requisition notice. Union Jack Oil reported a requisition notice from former director, Craig Howie. The company said the notice was not valid.
Saturday 17 January 2026
Burniston residents: ‘fracking guineapigs’ fear. DrillOrDrop reports that Residents of the North Yorkshire village of Burniston, which is facing plans for gas exploration, are afraid they may be used as guineapigs for proppant squeeze, a form of lower-volume fracking.
Friday 16 January 2026
Industry regulator extends Europa’s Burniston licence. DrillOrDrop reports an announcement by Europa Oil & Gas that it has been granted an extension to the first phase of its exploration licence covering controversial plans for gas drilling and lower volume fracking in North Yorkshire.
Date confirmed for Burniston gas meeting. DrillOrDrop reports controversial plans to drill for gas and carry out lower-volume fracking near the North York Moors National Park will be considered at the end of the month, it was confirmed this morning.
Wednesday 14 January 2026
UK world’s worst for letting fossil fuel companies drill in nature reserves. The Bureau of investigative journalism reports the UK is the world’s worst offender when it comes to letting fossil fuel companies drill in protected areas.
Monday 12 January 2026
New directors at UJO. Union Jack Oil announces it has appointed Donald Zac Phillips and John Americanos as non-executive directors of its board. Craig Howie is no longer a director of the company, UJO announced.
Wednesday 7 January 2026
Councillors back Burniston delay but company urges timely decision. DrillOrDrop reports two leading councillors have supported calls for delays to the decision on plans for gas drilling and lower-volume fracking in the North Yorkshire village of Burniston. But the company behind the scheme, Europa Oil & Gas, has said a delay is not justified.
Tuesday 6 January 2026
Star Energy seeks more time to restore Egmanton oilfield. DrillOrDrop reports on plans by Star Energy to extend its restoration time at the Egmanton oilfield in Nottinghamshire by five years.
Monday 5 January 2026
Campaigners launch new methane legal action. DrillOrDrop reports that the Weald Action Group, the campaigners who won a landmark Supreme Court ruling onthe climate impact of onshore oil and gas, has launched a new legal action over methane emissions from the industry.
Thursday 1 January 2026
Who drilled where in 2025? DrillOrDrop reports that the UK onshore industry drilled no oil and gas wells during 2025, according to official data.
DRILL OR DROP? 