Last updated 17/11/23

Key facts

Address: Letham Moss, Falkirk FK2 8RT

Planning applications:

Operator: Ineos

Licence: PEDL133

Status: Coal bed methane field that was the subject of a long-running planning dispute. Ineos withdrew its appeal in before a public inquiry was due to be reopened in 2020.

Timeline

17 November 2023

Check on PEDL133 reveals it is no longer listed on the NSTA licence list. No relinquishment report available.

13 March 2020

Ineos withdraws appeal over Airth application. Details and link to withdrawal request. DrillOrDrop report

25 February 2020

Scottish government’s planning and environmental appeals division writes to developers and objections suggesting that the inquiry, which closed six years ago, should reconvene to consider changes in policy. Details

18 February 2020

The Ferret investigative website reveals that Ineos is attempting to resurrect plans for coal bed methane drilling. Planning document

3 October 2019

Scottish government finalised its policy of no support for unconventional oil and gas development in Scotland, against stalling a decision on Airth. Details

10 March 2015

Ineos announces it is acquiring 100% of IGas’s (formerly Dart Energy) interest in PEDL133, which includes Airth. Details

28 January 2015

Scottish government moratorium on unconventional oil and gas development stalls decision on Airth proposals. Deta)ils

10 October 2014

Scottish government is to rule on the planning appeal for drilling 22 wells at 14 sites in Airth and the Forth valley. Details

14 August 2014

Ineos buys 51% stake in PEDL133. Details

18 March 2014

Opening date for three-week public inquiry on Airth coal bed methane proposals. Details

30 June 2013

Scottish media report on draft plans at Airth that could permit the release of tens of thousands of tonnes of methane gas into the atmosphere for 25 years. Details

30 January 2013

Dart Energy application to expand production and infrastructure at Airth comes before Falkirk Council’s planning committee. Decision postponed for a hearing. Details

21 January 2013

Scottish CBM production test successful. Oilfield Technology reports that Dart Energy’s three-month production test at Airth has been successful. Details

5 November 2012

Energy Voice reports coal bed methane production in Scotland’s central belt is on the verge of commercialisation with the first CBM well at Airth coming onstream in June. Drilling two more wells is due to start this month. Details

28 August 2012

Dart Energy applies to Falkirk and Stirling Councils for planning permission for coal bed methane production, drilling and well site establishment at 14 locations. Details