Cuadrilla secures approval to explore shale gas at Preston New Road, UK

Cuadrilla Resources has secured approval from the UK Environment Agency to explore shale gas at Preston New Road, Plumpton in Lancashire.

The permits were granted to Cuadrilla after an assessment of the company’s applications and public consultation.

The company is required to follow some conditions to protect groundwater, surface water and air quality and to make sure the safe storage, management and disposal of waste.

Lancashire environment manager Steve Molyneux said: "After completing a rigorous assessment of Cuadrilla’s application and the public consultation responses, we are confident the permits issued will ensure people and the environment are protected.

"The right controls are in place to manage waste and the flaring of gas safely, and protect local water resources."

Cuadrilla CEO Francis Egan said: "This is an important seal of approval from the regulator that the exploration of shale gas can be done responsibly.

"This follows a robust and rigorous review of our permit applications, and unequivocally demonstrates that, as we have committed, the local environment will be well protected throughout our proposed exploratory operations."

Based in Staffordshire, Cuadrilla owns licences for ten sites in the UK. The company estimates that Lancashire’s shale gas market could be worth £136bn.

Cuadrilla presently has several exploration sites in the Bowland Shale basin in Lancashire.

The company also has a production site at Elswick that has been generating energy from natural gas since 1993.

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Image: The UK Environment Agency granted permits to Cuadrilla after an assessment of the company’s applications and public consultation. Photo: Courtesy of the UK Government.