
Biscathorpe oil exploration site, Lincolnshire, 6 January 2019. Photo: Eddie Thornton
Last updated: 15/10/2022
Key facts
Address: Land off High Street, Biscathorpe, Louth, Lincolnshire
Planning applications: N/O59/0053/18 (May 2018) and (E)N59/2259/14 (2015)
Operator: Egdon Resources
Licence: PEDL253
Status: Exploratory drilling for oil awaiting decision for sidetrack and production
Timeline
11 October 2022
Egdon Resources challenged over changes to Biscathorpe oil production plans – report of appeal hearing. Details
5 October 2022
Egdon makes later offer on biodiversity and community liaison for Biscathorpe ahead of appeal hearing. Details
3 October 2022
Arguments over Biscathorpe oil production to be made at appeal hearing. Details
8 August 2022
Deadline for comments from interested parties in Biscathorpe appeal. Details
10 May 2022
Lincolnshire oil schemes will not help energy crisis, say pilgrims. Details
13 April 2022
Egdon lodges Biscathorpe appeal against refusal of planning permission. Details
3 November 2021
Egdon “likely to appeal” against Biscathorpe refusal. Details
1 November 2021
Lincolnshire County Council refuses planning permission for sidetrack drilling and production. Details and reaction
22 October 2021
Officials say oil drilling at Biscathorpe is in the public interest and recommend approval. Details
4 September 2021
Villagers stage “dirty duck” rate as 1,200+ oppose Biscathorpe oil drilling. Details
19 July 2021
Biscathorpe oil carbon intensity below UK onshore average, says Union Jack. Details
15 July 2021
Biscathorpe oil production plan “completely at odds” with local area, says Conservative MP. Details
11 July 2021
Biscathorpe oil petition tops 1,000 – Egdon submits more information on plans. Details
3 June 2021
Planners seek more details on national importance of Egdon’s Biscathorpe oil plans. Details
29 April 2021
Warning that Biscathorpe oil production plans would “cause significant and long-term harm” to Lincolnshire Wolds. Details
10 April 2021
Views sought on Biscathorpe oil production plans in Lincolnshire Wolds AONB. Details
1 March 2021
Egdon submits plans for new sidetrack well and long-term production at Biscathorpe. Details
Union Jack completes acquisition of further 15% stake in Biscathorpe licence from Humber Oil & Gas. Details
18 January 2021
Union Jack Oil raises £1m to become the largest investor in Biscathorpe. Details
10 November 2020
Egdon plans for drilling and oil production at Biscathorpe. Details
17 September 2020
Union Jack raises £7m for work at East Midlands sites, including Biscathorpe. Details
24 June 2020
Union Jack Oil adds to stake in Biscathorpe licence. Details
30 March 2020
Oil partners “optimistic” about finding oil with Biscathorpe sidetrack. Details
6 January 2020
Pictures show flooding at Biscathorpe site.

Biscathorpe site, 6 January 2020. Photo: Used with owner’s consent
4 January 2020
Egdon Resources announces Humber Oil & Gas has defaulted on payments for operations at Biscathorpe. Legal action is underway. Details
27 November 2019
Union Jack Oil raises £5m for new wells at West Newton and Biscathorpe. Details
2 August 2019
Acquittal for sole campaigners arrested at Biscathorpe protests. Details
15 July 2019
Partners in Biscathorpe says analysis at Biscathorpe raises hopes of finding oil in PEDL253. Details
20 February 2019
Egdon Resources announced that Biscathorpe-2 well is to be sealed and suspended after it fails to find target formation. Details
7 January 2019
Biscathorpe well spudded. Details
4 January 2019
First arrests outside the Biscathorpe site: a 74-year-old man and a 60-year-old woman. Details
3 November 2018
Campaigners protest as Biscathorpe site construction begins. Details
October 2018
Dismissal of request for judicial review of Lincolnshire County Council decision.
14 May 2018
Lincolnshire County Council unanimously approved time extension for Biscathorpe site until December 2020. Details
28 February 2018
Expiry date of 2015 planning permission
12 July 2017
Environment Agency grants mining waste and radioactive substances permits. Link to permit documents and DrillOrDrop report
16 March 2015
Planning permission for three years was awarded by Lincolnshire County Council to create a well site and drill an oil exploration well.