Cuadrilla wins environmental permits for shale gas exploration at Roseacre Wood, UK

Energy firm Cuadrilla Resources has secured environmental permits from the UK Environment Agency for its proposed Roseacre Wood shale gas exploration site near Elswick in Lancashire.

The permits require Cuadrilla to protect groundwater, surface water and air quality.

The company will also be responsible for the safe storage, management and disposal of wastes.

Lancashire environment manager Steve Molyneux said: "Over the past six months we have rigorously assessed Cuadrilla’s applications and carefully considered all of the public comments received.

"I am confident that the strict controls set out in the permits to manage waste, safe flaring of gas and conditions to safeguard local water resources will ensure that people and the environment remain protected."

Cuadrilla CEO Francis Egan said: "We are pleased that the Environment Agency has granted our permits for our proposed exploration site at Roseacre Wood which follows the approval for permits at our other proposed site at Preston New Road."

Cuadrilla still needs to secure planning permission to develop the site.

Earlier in 2015, Cuadrilla secured approval from the UK Environment Agency to explore shale gas at Preston New Road, Plumpton in Lancashire.

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.