Last updated 18/10/2022
Key facts
Address: Horse Hill 1 well site, Horse Hill, Hookwood, Horley, Surrey RH6 0RB
Production planning application: SCC ref 2018/0152
Surrey County Council approved application on 11 September 2019 to retain and extend existing well site, HH1 and HH2 wells, and vehicular access to allow: the drilling of four new hydrocarbon wells and one water reinjection well; the construction of a process and storage area and tanker loading facility; new boundary fencing; well maintenance workovers and sidetrack drilling; and ancillary development enabling the production of hydrocarbons from six wells, for a period of 25 years.
Latest planning application: SCC ref 2020/0018 for the storage of crude oil. Approved August 2022
Operator: Horse Hill Developments Ltd (HHDL)
Majority investor: UK Oil & Gas Investments Plc (UKOG)
Licence: PEDL137
Status: Permissions for six production wells and 20 years of oil production; one well drilled and currently being flow tested.
Timeline
16 August 2022
Crude oil storage plan approved. Details
15 August 2022
UKU’s highest court to rule on climate impact of onshore oil production. Details
Interview: campaigner “vindicated” by Supreme Court hearing on climate impact of oil production.
28 July 2022
Horse Hill application for retrospective changes to site operation and layout requires updated environmental assessment. Details
16 May 2022
NSTA approves water reinjection at Horse Hill oil well. Details
13 May 2022
NSTA agrees a one-year extension to Horse Hill retention area programme, allowing an extra year to drill a second Kimmeridge well. Details
5 May 2022
Environment Agency grants permission for water reinjection, plus oil production, further drilling, testing, acid treatment and burning waste gas. Details
31 March 2022
Climate campaigner seeks to take legal case on Horse Hill emissions to UK’s highest court. Details
3 March 2022
Environment Agency minded to allow “substantial” changes at Horse Hill oil site. Details
17 February 2022
Legal challenge fails on climate impact of Horse Hill oil production – but judges divided. Details
16 December 2021
UKOG announces plans for geothermal energy hub at Horse Hill. Details
4 October 2021
Government urged to withdraw from legal case in support of oil production at Horse Hill. Details
10 September 2021
Horse Hill Developments Ltd declares a loss of £17.8m. Details
2 August 2021
OGA allows more time to drill at Horse Hill – Kimmeridge appraisal well now due by September 2022. Details
30 June 2021
UKOG protest injunction granted against five campaigners. Details
29 June 2021
Oil company in court to finalise protest injunction. Details
25 May 2021
UKOG issues 262 million shares to complete purchase of equipment at Horse Hil. Details
28 April 2021
Horse Hill scales back oil storage plans by more than 80% (from 285 to under 50 tonnes). This reclassifies Horse Hill as a lower tier COMAH site with lesser regulations. Details
23 April 2023
Campaigner in 12-hour rig protest acquitted of trespass at horse Hill. Details
21 April 2021
Closing date of consultation on environmental permit changes for Horse Hill. Details
16 April 2021
Horse Hill is a “talented but troublesome teenager”, says UKOG as it goes into the red. Details
Scaled-back UKOG protest injunction heads to trial after more than three years. Details
2 April 2021
Horse Hill production continues to slide. Details
25 March 2021
Climate dispute over Surrey oil wells to go to Court of Appeal. Details
4 March 2021
Changes sought to Horse Hill environmental permit to allow drilling, flaring, well treatments, testing and water reinjection. Details
1 March 2021
No immediate production peak after Horse Hill workover – new data. Details
9 February 2021
Judge “radically scales back” UKOG protest injunction. Details
5 February 2021
Campaigners claim victory over UKOG injunction. Details
4 February 2021
UKOG abandons injunction on slow walking protests. Details
3 February 2021
BBC fined £28,000 for contempt of court after broadcasting footage of Horse Hill hearing. Details
1 February 2021
Horse Hill oil production drops during workover – latest data. Details
15 January 2021
Details of new production wells and water reinjection. Details
13 January 2021
Horse Hill protest case dropped “in the public interest”. Details
1 January 2021
Horse Hill monthly oil production falls to record low. Details
21 December 2020
Campaigner loses judicial review over climate effects of 20 years of oil production at Horse Hill. Details
1 December 2020
Oil production up slightly – but so are waste water and gas. Details
30 November 2020
Charges dropped against four people who protested at Horse Hill on 1 June 2020. Details
18 November 2020
Second day of judicial review of Surrey County Council decision to grant planning permission at Horse Hill for 20 years of oil production. Details
17 November 2020
First day of judicial review of Surrey County Council decision to grant planning permission at Horse Hill for 20 years of oil production. Details
Vigil at Horse Hill. Picture post
Oil case over Horse Hill production challenges future big carbon developments. Details
16 November 2020
Oil site campaigners accused of climbing the Horse Hill rig appeared in court. Details
5 November 2020
Test underway on Horse Hill-1 well to find out whether recent intervention has successfully increased oil flows. Details
3 November 2020
Rig leaves Horse Hill after well intervention. Details
1 November 2020
Production slide continues at Horse Hill. Official data shows July 2020 oil production was lowest so far. Details
26 October 2020
Minister and Friends of the Earth join legal challenge over Horse Hill oil production (on opposite sides). Details
21 October 2020
Traffic arrangements approved for Horse Hill drilling and oil production scheme. Details
12 October 2020
Brighton father pleads not guilty over Horse Hill oil rig protest. Details
10 October 2020
Rig occupied by two activists in protest at fossil fuels. Details
6 October 2020
“Substantial losses” revealed in accounts for Horse Hill Developments Limited. Details
5 October 2020
Slow walk protest over oil production at Horse Hill. Details
1 October 2020
Work begins to improve oil flow on HH-1 as production figures fall again. Details
2 September 2020
Climate change “lightship” passes Horse Hill oil site as part of national protest. Details
1 September 2020
Horse Hill oil production falls – latest data. Details
17 August 2020
First official Horse Hill oil production data. Details
3-4 August 2020
Slow walking protests at Horse Hill. Details here and here
29 July 2020
Two activists plead not guilty to Horse Hill protest in June. Details
17 July 2020
Campaigner wins right to challenge Surrey County Council at appeal court over climate impact of oil production at Horse Hill. Details
6 July 2020
Fossil fuel protest by Extinction Rebellion outside Horse Hill oil site. Details
30 June 2020
Stimulation, sidetracking or conversion to water injector considered for Horse Hill2z well. Details
Climate campaigners plead not guilty to trespass at Horse Hill. Details
4 June 2020
UKOG announces plan to boost production from Horse Hill’s Gatwick Gusher. It also announces loan repayment and equipment purchase. Details
1 June 2020
Environmental campaigners breach security and carry out lock-on protest. Details
11 May 2020
Campaigners celebrate changes to UKOG protest injunction. Details
9 April 2020
Women win right to continue challenge to UKOG protest injunction. Details
“Fake Facebook account” allegedly used for UKOG protest injunction, court told. Details
2 April 2020
Oil company seeks to block campaigners from injunction challenge. Details
1 April 2020
UKOG injunction accused of “bullying” and “breach of right to protest”. Details
31 March 2020
UKOG delays capital spending because of coronavirus. Details
23 March 2020
Campaigners ask court to scrap UKOG injunction against oil and gas protests. Details
22 March 2020
Oil company seeks to add 100+ more people to protest injunction. Details
13 March 2020
UKOG announces OGA production consent for Horse Hill. Details
9 March 2020
Solution announced for formation water problem at Horse Hill. Details
19 February 2020
UKOG announces start of intervention to shut off water in HH-2z well. Details
13 February 2020
Climate impact of burning Horse Hill oil was not council’s concern, says judge who refused judicial review. Details
3 February 2020
Court date in challenge to approval of Horse Hill oil production. Details
31 January 2020
UKOG submits planning application to Surrey County Council for storage of crude oil. To be determined under delegated powers by planning officers. Details
30 January 2020
Deadline for comments on Horse Hill transport and traffic management plan. Details
28 January 2020
Operation to find water source in Horse Hill well delayed to next month. Details
7 January 2020
Horse Hill lorries to be ordered to “stay in lane”. Details
23 December 2019
Shares in UKOG fall 8% on news of the test of HH-2z which identified formation water. Details
17 December 2019
UKOG considers contempt of court action against protesters (see 10 December 2019). Details
10 December 2019
Extinction Rebellion campaigners block the entrance to the Horse Hill site. Details
5 December 2019
Transport and traffic management plan submitted for Horse Hill production work. Details
2 December 2019
UKOG shares fall on news of £2m fundraising for Horse Hill. The company said partners were unlikely to contribute their share of costs. Details
27 November 2019
UKOG announces that first horizontal well at Horse Hill – HH-2z – is completed. Flow test will now start. Details
25 November 2019
Deadline for comments on environmental permit for oil production. Details
12 November 2019
Legal challenge launched to Horse Hill oil production plans. Details
3 November 2019
Fire at Horse Hill oil site. Details
29 October 2019
Public consultation starts on changes to Horse Hill environmental permit. Details
22 October 2019
Horizontal drilling begins at Horse Hill. Details
29 September 2019
UKOG statement says HH2-2z well spudded. Details
25 September 2019
Campaign group announces legal challenge to planning approval for four additional production wells. Details
24 September 2019
Horse Hill drill rig delivered – drilling to start “shortly”, says UKOG. Details
11 September 2019
Planning permission approved for four additional production wells and 20 years of oil production, plus storage and tanker loading facilities. News updates and reaction
UKOG announces completion of its acquisition of Magellan Petroleum’s 35% stake in Horse Hill from Tellurian for £12m in shares and cash. This increases UKOG’s stake in Horse hill from 50.635% to a controlling 85.635%. Details.
5 September 2019
Planning officers recommend approval of Horse Hill production scheme. Details
24 June 2019
Deadline for comments on new material on Horse Hill planning application. Details
21 June 2019
“Gatwick Gusher” broke safety laws over blowout preventer in 2018. Details
22 May 2019
Council seeks new comments on Horse Hill oil production plans and decision delayed until at least July 2019. Details
9 May 2019
Planning decision on long-term production and further wells delayed until at least June 2019.
20 March 2019
Surrey County Council reveals a thousand objections to latest application and a delay to at least May for the decision.
18 February 2019
Closing date for comments on application for four more wells and 20 years of oil production. Link to application
16 January 2019
UKOG plans “near continuous” oil production from Horse Hill in 2019. Details
21 December 2018
Plans published for four more wells and 20 years of oil production at Horse Hill. Details
Six women win right to appeal against UKOG injunction against protests. Details
15 November 2018
UKOG publishes numbers from Horse Hill well test. Details
5 October 2018
First results of the extended well test on the Portland layer suggest the well has connected to a reservoir with 7 – 11 million barrels of oil in place. Estimates that the well could achieve a long-term flow rate of 362 bopd. Details here and here
30 September 2018
Scoping application for a site extension and up to 6 wells onsite submitted to Surrey County Council. Details
11 September 2018
Eviction of protest camp. Details
10 September 2018
Horse Hill Portland oil tests “exceed expectations”, says UKOG. Details
3 September 2018
High Court grants UKOG injunction but curtails some parts of the order. Details
30 August 2018
Solo Oil sells stake in Horse Hill. Details
20 August 2018
Protest blockade of Horse Hill oil site. Details
27 June 2018
UKOG announces start of extended flow testing. Details
19 December 2017
UKOG says it will submit a planning application for production and extra wells at Horse Hill. Details
2 December 2017
Protest camp evicted from Horse Hill oil site. Details
30 November 2017
Campaigners occupy the site. Details
18 October 2017
Surrey County Council approves planning permission SCC ref2016/0189 for two more wells and more testing. Live updates from the meeting and reaction
8 September 2017
Environment Agency grants permit for flow testing and extra drilling. Details
4 August 2017
Closing date for comments on draft environmental permit to allow extended flow testing and extra drilling. Link to consultation
2 August 2017
Possible date for decision at Surrey County Council of planning application for extended flow testing and extra drilling (to be confirmed)
10 July 2017
Environment Agency publishes draft variation on environmental permit to allow extended flow testing and extra drilling. UKOG announces the planning application for this work will be heard in August or September. The company also announces it has increased its stake in the licence. Details
4 April 2017
Oil and Gas Authority extends PEDL137 and 246 covering the Horse Hill area until 2021. Details
24 February 2017
Surrey County Council asks for more information on plans for drilling and testing at Horse Hill. New deadline of 31 July 2017 agreed. Details
22 December 2016
Consultation opens on environmental permit application for extended flow testing and drilling. Details
3 November 2016
Planning application (SCC ref 2016/0189) published for appraisal and testing of existing Horse Hill-1 well, drilling a sidetrack to HH-1 and drilling a second deviated borehole, followed by flow testing and restoration
27 October 2016
Latest planning application validated
14 October 2016
Latest planning application for additional wells and extended flow testing submitted to Surrey County Council
1 October 2016
Horse Hill Developments Ltd confirms it is preparing to submit a planning application for flow testing and new wells at Horse Hill. Details
25 July 2016
Eight anti-fracking campaigners found guilty of offences arising from protests outside the Horse Hill site. One was found not guilty. Details
21 July 2016
Public exhibition about plans for Horse Hill at Charlwood Parish Hall, 2pm-7pm. Residents say it’s the wrong site Details But Stephen Sanderson, executive chairman of UK Oil & Gas Investments Plc, suggested 1% of production revenues could go to local landowners and residents Details
1 July 2016
The Oil and Gas Authority announces new work programme for PEDL246 at Horse Hill, including the requirement to drill a sidetrack by 30 September 2017. Details
28 June 2016
Surrey County Council confirms an Environmental Impact Assessment is not required for future drilling and testing
17 June 2016
Nine Horse Hill protesters cleared after a trial in Redhill Details
13 June 2016
Prosecutors drop case against a protester arrested at Horse Hill. Details
26 May 2016
UK Oil & Gas Investments Plc announces it has raised £4m through the placing of ordinary shares in the company. The proceeds are to be used on the Weald Basin portfolio, including Horse Hill. Statement
16 May 2016
Pre-application meeting with Surrey County Council planning officers about further proposals for the site, including extended well tests and new wells
18 April 2016
UK Oil & Gas Investments Plc acquires all of Angus Energy Holdings in Horse Hill Developments Ltd for £1m cash and £0.8m in shares. Statement
21 March 2016
UK Oil & Gas Investments Plc announces rates of 323 barrels of oil per day from the final Portland flow test. This brings the total aggregate rate to 1,688 barrels of oil per day, which UK Oil & Gas Investments Plc describes as “exceptional” for the Kimmeridge Limestones and Portland Sandstones. Statement
9 March 2016
UK Oil & Gas Investments Plc reports oil flow rates of 168 barrels per day from the Upper Portland sandstone at about 615m below ground level. The two Kimmeridge and Upper Portland zones have a combined flow rate of 1,528 barrels per day. Statement
1 March 2016
UK Oil & Gas Investments Plc reports oil flows in excess of 900 barrels per day from Upper Kimmeridge limestone interval at 840m below ground level. Statement
20 February 2016
Rally and cycle ride from Horley to Horse Hill to protest at flow testing. Photos
19 February 2016
Lock-on protest on a tanker visiting the Horse Hill site. Details
18 February 2016
Environment Agency reports no odour or water quality issues after complaints about Horse Hill testing. Details
17 February 2016
Company reports 40-degree API sweet oil flowed naturally from the Lower Kimmeridge limestone interval at about 900m below ground level. Statement
16 February 2016
Neighbours complain about smell at Horse Hill as company reports oil flows from the Lower Kimmeridge Limestones. Company statement
8 February 2016
Flow testing operations begin. Statement
3 February 2016
Surrey Police warn protesters will be arrested for obstructing the highway at Horse Hill. Details
2 February 2016
Workover rig installed for flow testing at Horse Hill. Details
2016
30 November 2015
Environment Agency issues a variation to the mining waste permit to allow flow testing of the exploratory oil well. Details and company statement
26 August 2015
UK Oil & Gas Investments Plc announces estimates of oil in place in its Weald licences at 10.993bn barrels. Statement
8 July 2015
David Lenigas steps down as chairman of UK Oil & Gas Investments Plc. Statement
18 June 2015
UK Oil & Gas Investments Plc announces results of a Nutech study which estimates 9,245m barrels of oil in the Kimmeridge shales and tight limestones. Statement
28 May 2015
Horse Hill Developments Ltd applies for variation of mining waste permit to allow further well testing.
8 May 2015
Two anti-fracking campaigners are found guilty of obstruction outside the Horse Hill-1 well site. Details
28 April 2015
UK Oil & Gas Investments Plc confirms that the operator of Horse Hill has applied to the Oil and Gas Authority for a one-year extension to PEDL137, which has an initial term that expires on 30 September 2015. Statement
15 April 2015
UK Oil & Gas Investments issues a clarification on estimated oil in the Weald Basin. Statement
9 April 2015
Stephen Sanderson, executive chairman of UK Oil & Gas Investments plc tells the BBC there could be 100bn barrels of oil in the Weald. Analysis of the Horse Hill well suggests the area around the well could hold 158m barrels of oil per square mile. DrillOrDrop report and Reaction
18 March 2015
UK Oil & Gas Investments says analysis of cores taken from Horse Hill confirms 407 net feet of potential oil play in the Kimmeridge Clay, Oxford Clay and Middle Lias formations, as well as 102 Portland sandstone oil play already reported. Statement
3 February 2015
Stephen Sanderson, executive chairman of UK Oil & Gas Investments plc, tells investors shale found at the Horse Hill well is a world class source rock for oil. DrillorDrop report
2015
17 December 2014
Estimated oil in place in the Upper Portland sandstone put at 8.2 million barrels, up from an earlier estimate of 3.1m barrels. Statement
5 November 2014
Horse Hill-1 well drilled to 8,770ft and completed. Statement
24 October 2014
UK Oil & Gas Investments Plc announces an estimated 3.1m barrels of oil in place in the Upper Portland. Statement
16 October 2014
Horse Hill-1 well drilled to 6,612ft. Statement
7 October 2014
David Lenigas, chairman of UK Oil & Gas, tells BBC Radio Surrey the Horse Hill site could yield 80m barrels of oil and 160 bn cubic feet of gas, worth £2bn. Details
6 October 2014
Alba Mineral Resources, which has a stake in the Horse Hill-1 well, announces oil shows were identified in the Portland Sandstone. Statement
Protest picnic at Horse Hill-1 well. DrillorDrop report
29 September 2014
Horse Hill-1 well drilled to 1,795ft. Statement
24 September 2014
Marriott 50 rig drilling at depth of 116ft. Statement
18 September 2014
Magellan Petroleum Corporation confirms it will not proceed with option to acquire additional logs beyond those required for the conventional targets at Horse Hill-1, allowing drilling to be completed on schedule in about six weeks. Statement
2 September 2014
Horse Hill-1 well spudded. Statement
13 August 2014
UK Oil & Gas increases its stake in the Horse Hill field to 20% for £750,000. Details
2014
16 January 2012
Surrey County Council issues decision document on planning permission for exploratory wellsite with one borehole and short-term testing (SCC ref 2010/0197)
9 November 2011
Surrey County Council grants planning permission for exploratory wellsite with one borehole and short-term testing (SCC ref 2010/0197)
17 November 2010
Surrey County Council validates planning application SCC ref 2010/0197 for an exploratory wellsite, drilling one borehole and short-term testing
15 October 2010
Magellan Petroleum UK Ltd submits planning application SCC ref 2010/0197 for an exploratory wellsite, drilling one borehole and short-term testing
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