Shale gas commissioner to meet Lancashire residents
The government’s new shale gas commissioner, Natascha Engel, is to meet representatives of residents living near Cuadrilla’s existing and proposed fracking sites in Lancashire.
Ruth Hayhurst
Investigative journalist and environmental writer. Specialising in UK onshore oil and gas, fracking and the reaction to it.
Guest post: Save the Fylde – keep the earthquake safety limit at 0.5
Chartered Electrical Engineer, Michael Hill, stood as an independent candidate in the 2015 general election on a “Save the Fylde” ticket, highlighting his concerns about the fracking industry. In this guest post, he argues that his message seems more relevant now than ever as he makes the case […]
Weekend Long Read: Campaigners call for tougher rules on acid use at Weald oil sites
Campaigners in southern England have criticised what they say is a “gaping hole” in the regulations covering the use of acid on oil sites.
HSE action over escape of water from IGas injection well
The Health and Safety Executive has issued two improvement notices to IGas after an unintended escape of water at an injection well in Hampshire.
Picture post: Tinker Lane protest, arrests and rig delivery
Two people locked themselves together this morning outside the entrance of the IGas exploration site at Tinker Lane in north Nottinghamshire. They were protesting about the imminent drilling for shale gas at the site near Blythe. Two men aged 31 and 45 were arrested on suspicion of obstruction, […]
Rathlin Energy’s £33.9m debt “casts doubt” over company viability – accounts
The exploration company, Rathlin Energy, owed nearly £34m, according to annual accounts published yesterday (7 November 2018).
15% support fracking and 31% oppose – government quarterly survey returns
The government has resumed its quarterly survey of public attitudes to fracking and shale gas. The latest results, published this morning, show support for fracking stands at 15%, down 3 percentage points, and opposition at 31%, down 1 point.
Officials back another three years for Rathlin Energy at E Yorks gas site
Council planners have recommended the West Newton-A gas exploration site in East Yorkshire should be allowed to continue until 2021.
Lancashire Tory and Labour MPs call for government action over fracking tremors
Conservative and Labour MPs in Lancashire have written to the business secretary, Greg Clark, demanding action following a series of tremors linked to Cuadrilla’s fracking operation near Blackpool.
High Court blocks challenge to government statement on fracking definition
The Mayor of Malton, in North Yorkshire, has failed in his attempt to bring a legal challenge against the government over the definition of fracking. But he said he had won important concessions in his campaign to restrict the shale gas industry.
DRILL OR DROP? 