Planners oppose oil test plans at Balcombe: “not in public interest” and “not appropriate to area”
Proposals to test the Balcombe oil well in West Sussex would compromise the protected landscape of the High Weald, council planners said today.
“Gatwick Gusher” breached safety laws over blowout preventer
The oil exploration site in Surrey, nicknamed the “Gatwick Gusher”, breached health and safety laws last year, DrillOrDrop has learned.
Campaigner questions “gold standard” regulation after safety failings at drill site
Staff working for one of the leading contractors in the UK onshore oil and gas industry breached health and safety regulations and failed to follow best practice during a single routine task, the industry regulator has concluded.
Regulators accused of “extraordinary hands-off” approach to South Downs oil well
An oil exploration well in one of the most sensitive parts of the country has lacked scrutiny because of legal loopholes.
Minister reveals details of new shale regulator
The government’s new shale regulator, announced last spring, has three members of staff, at a cost of £75,000, operates “virtually” and has no powers, the energy minister has said.
Obituary: Tony Almond, of the Health and Safety Executive
The Health and Safety Executive has reported that Tony Almond, who worked on onshore oil and gas policy, has died following a heart attack.
Angus faces new controls over gas, acid and reinjection at Brockham oil site
Updated 27/11/2018 New rules came into force today which could delay production from the Kimmeridge oil well at Angus Energy’s site at Brockham in Surrey.
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.
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.
