2026 headlines
Keep up to date with 2026’s news with our digest of daily updated headlines about the business, regulation and campaigns around UK fracking, shale, and onshore oil and gas..
Who drilled where in 2025?
The UK onshore industry drilled no oil and gas wells during 2025, according to official data.
Horse Hill latest
Key information needed for a new planning application for a controversial drilling site in Surrey will be submitted before Christmas, it was revealed today.
Plans return for new well at Whisby oilfield
A proposal for a new sidetrack production well at the Whisby oilfield in Lincolnshire is back with planners – three years after it was previously approved.
Government to block new onshore oil and gas licences and ban fracking
No new onshore oil and gas licences will be issued in England, the government announced today. The news followed a speech to the Labour conference in which the energy secretary confirmed his commitment to ban fracking.
Campaigners welcome new guidance on climate impact of oil and gas production
New government guidance on assessing carbon emissions from oil and gas production has been welcomed by environmental campaigners.
New Biscathorpe consultation
People have the chance to comment on extra information about proposals for long-term oil production and more drilling at the Biscathorpe site in the Lincolnshire Wolds.
Biscathorpe appeal – delay likely
The decision over plans to extract oil in the Lincolnshire Wolds looks likely to be delayed.
Egdon submits first assessment of climate impact of onshore oil
A landmark legal judgement on the climate impact of onshore oil has forced the UK’s first ever formal assessment of carbon emissions from burning hydrocarbons.
“Full and fair assessment” of climate emissions would rule out new oil and gas – campaigner
The campaigner behind last year’s Supreme Court judgement on climate emissions has called for strict new rules that would prevent most future oil and gas extraction.
DRILL OR DROP? 