Government gives green light for fracking at Lancashire shale gas site

The government has approved the company’s application for fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, of underground shale reserves at Cuadrilla’s Preston New Road site in Lancashire, Northwest England.

Fracking, which is prevalent in the US but banned in some European countries such as Ireland, the Netherlands, and France, is the process by which oil and gas are harvested though the perforation of wells and fracturing of rocks through injections of liquids, chemicals and sands.

The practice is controversial as protestors and critics have expressed concerns that the process could contaminate underground water reservoirs and consequently harm the natural environment on the surface.

Energy and clean growth minister Claire Perry said: “Shale gas has the potential to be a new domestic energy source, further enhancing our energy security and helping us with our continued transition to a lower-carbon economy. It also has the capacity to deliver substantial economic benefits, both nationally and locally, as well as through the creation of well paid, high-quality jobs.”

Government consent for fracking became a mandatory requirement in 2015 and is intended to ensure that all necessary environmental and health and safety permits have been obtained.

Francis Egan, chief executive of Cuadrilla, said: “We now look forward to submitting a fracture consent application to (the government) for our second exploration well and moving on to fracture the shale rock and flow the natural gas which we believe will make a major contribution to reducing the UK’s gas imports and improving our environment and economy.”

The company owns nine sites in England, including seven in Lancashire, and operates in Poland, Hungary and the Netherlands.