Key facts
Address: Markwells Wood wellsite, South Holt Farm, Back Lane, Forestside, Stoughton, West Sussex
Operator: UK Oil & Gas Investments Ltd (UKOG)
Planning application for appraisal and production: SDNP/16/04679/CM (see timeline for earlier planning applications and permissions)
Licence: PEDL126 Licence now removed by OGA from list of UK onshore licences
Status: Abandoned
Timeline
Updated 5/10/2021
31 March 2020
UKOG annual report says Marwells Wood has been restored and the site planted with 2,000 trees and shrubs. Details
24 January 2019
UKOG confirms it has abandoned Markwells Wood because of technical and regulatory risks. Details
23 November 2018
Residents report work is underway to abandon Markwells Wood. Details
17 July 2018
South Downs National Park Authority issues breach of condition notice against UKOG. Link to notice
28 March 2018
Residents say they are delighted that UKOG has lost access rights to Markwells Wood oil site. Details
27 March 2018
News emerges that UKOG lost access rights to Markwells Wood in summer 2017. Details
15 March 2018
Campaigners announce they will challenge the UKOG injunction over sites including Markwells Wood. Details
1 March 2018
UKOG applies for an injunction over sites including Markwells Wood. Details
3 January 2018
Villagers accuse Oil and Gas Authority of a lack of robustness over allowing PEDL126, which includes Markwells Wood, to move to the production phase without the usual requirements. Details
16 October 2017
In a letter to the South Downs National Park Authority, UKOG drops plans for 20 years of oil production, three new oil wells and water injection well. Details
29 August 2017
Meeting of MP Gillian Keegan with constituents living near Markwells Wood, to discuss UKOG’s plans for the site, 6.30pm-8pm, Foreside Hall, Forestside, West Sussex PO9 6EG
30 June 2017
Extended deadline for the second term of PEDL126
2 May 2017
South Downs National Park Authority announces UKOG has withdrawn the planning application for drilling and oil production at Markwells Wood. Details
7 April 2017
UKOG says it remained “fully committed” to the potential of Markwells Wood. It said a consultants’s report proved “beyond any reasonable doubt” that drilling methods were “safe, secure and of no concern to the environment”. Details
6 April 2017
Environment Agency objects again to UKOG drilling plans, saying they could “pose an unacceptable risk to groundwater”. Details
1 April 2017
Study commissioned by Markwells Wood Watch concludes that water contaminated by oil exploration or production at Markwells Wood could quickly reach the Bedhampton and Havant Springs, which supplies drinking water to the Portsmouth area. Details
28 March 2017
Closing date of South Downs National Park Authority public consultation on additional information for planning application. Details
6 March 2017
South Downs National Park Authority publishes additional information on planning application and opens public consultation. Details
24 November 2016
South Downs National Park Authority asks UKOG for more information about the location of the wells, alternative sites, impacts from VOCs, volume of hydrocarbons, revised groundwater risk and landscape impact assessments, impact of noise and vibration on bats, impact of greenhouse gas emissions and the use of acid Details
16 November 2016
Meeting between Portsmouth Water, Environment Agency and UKOG over the application’s risk assessment to groundwater Details
15 November 2016
Portsmouth City Council objects to UKOG plans for Markwells Wood Details
2 November 2016
Environment Agency objects to the UKOG plans for Markwells Wood Details
13 October 2016
Portsmouth Water objects to UKOG application for Markwells Wood Details
3 October 2016
Public meeting in Forestside votes to oppose UKOG application for Markwells Wood Details
30 September 2016
Expiry of planning application SDNP/13/01347/CND granted on 14 October 2015.
20 September 2016
South Downs National Park Authority validates application (SDNP/16/04679/CM) from UKOG for Markwells Wood. The application is for: appraisal and production of oil incorporating the drilling of one side-track well from the existing well (for appraisal), three new hydrocarbon wells and one water injection well, and to allow the production of hydrocarbons from all four wells for a 20 year period. DrillOrDrop review and UKOG statement
8 September 2016
UKOG puts up signs around Markwells Wood giving notice that it will be applying for permission for new drilling and oil production. Details
6 September 2016
South Downs National Park Authority publishes scoping opinion giving details of what should be included in an Environmental Statement
2 August 2016
UKOG applies to the South Downs National Park Authority for a scoping opinion (SDNP/16/03912/SCOPE) for appraisal drilling, extended well testing, production and site restoration Details
12 July 2016
South Downs National Park Authority responds to Barton Willmore’s screening request (SDNP/16/03075/SCREEN) that an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) would be needed and the development would be likely to have significant effects on the environment
1 July 2016
Oil and Gas Authority moves PEDL126 (exploration licence around Markwells Wood) to 2014 Model Clauses and requires a field development plan for the Markwells Wood-1 discovery by 30 June 2017 Details
15 June 2016
Barton Willmore, consultants for UKOG, requests an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) screening opinion. It argues that significant effects are unlikely and an EIA is not needed Request letter and report
14 October 2015
South Downs National Park Authority grants an extension of planning permission for Markwells Wood under delegated powers until 31 September 2016 (see decision notice)
13 April 2015
UKOG announces it has bought Magellan’s 40% stake in PEDL126 (including the Markwells Wood-1 well), bringing its stake to 100% Details
26 March 2015
UKOG applies for permission to the South Downs National Park Authority (SDNP/15/01470/CONDC) to extend operations for a further 18 months for continued operations, the plugging and abandonment of the existing well and final restoration of the site
30 December 2014
Magellan Petroleum, a partner in Markwells Wood-1, warns that the well could be abandoned if new companies can’t be found to take it on Details Annual report
20 October 2014
UKOG announces it has completed acquisition of Northern Petroleum’s UK production and exploration oil and gas licence interests – including PEDL126 and Markwells Wood-1 – for £1.5m Details
24 July 2014
UKOG announces a conditional agreement to acquire Northern Petroleum Plc’s UK production and exploration oil and gas licence interests – including PEDL126 Markwells Wood – for a total consideration of £1.5 million Details
22 November 2013
South Downs National Park Authority issues a decision notice approving permission until 31 March 2015
22 March 2013
Application to the South Downs National Park Authority (SDNP/13/01347/CND) for a further two years for oil and gas exploration at Markwells Wood
23 January 2013
West Sussex County Council issues a decision notice approving the application WSCC/011/12/SO/SDNP for an extension of permission until 31 March 2013
12 March 2012
West Sussex County Council registers application WSCC/011/12/SO/SDNP from Northern Petroleum for an extension of time at Markwells Wood
7 September 2011
Northern Petroleum reports it has started operations for an extended well test at Markwells Wood-1 Details
6 January 2011
Northern Petroleum announces that logs confirm the Great Oolite drilled reservoir at Markwells Wood-1 is oil bearing above the Horndean Field oil water contact of 4,446ft Details
23 December 2010
Northern Petroleum announces live oil was encountered in the Markwells Wood-1 well in the primary reservoir target Details
21 November 2010
Northern Petroleum announces the Markwells Wood-1 well was spudded at 15.00 hours Details
12 November 2010
Northern moves drilling equipment onto the Markwells Wood-1 site Details
12 January 2009
West Sussex County Council issues decision notice approving application SO/3152/07 with a condition that permission is for three years from the date of commencement of site construction.
19 June 2007
West Sussex County Council validates an application (SO/3152/07) from Northern Petroleum for a temporary hydrocarbon exploration site
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