Submitted by Benefitz Betty on
The 'fracking' presentation hosted by SBC on the 21st November open to the public was an invitation not to be missed. Frack Free Scarborough were in good form and expectations of a pitch by a Cuadrilla, INEOS or any T-Rex 'fracking' team were dashed when, the mysterious 'surprise' presenter turned out to be the NYMNPA Director of Development, Mark Hill.
Why Am I here? he asked. 
•22 years in Planning in West & North Yorkshire, last five dealing with conventional gas applications.
•2014 -2016 Presented Fracking information sessions for various local District and Parish Council meetings & Voluntary sector. (Inc SBC Jan 2015)
•2014 – Yorkshire Post Big Debate/Question Time on Fracking - York
•2014 - Delegate to European Shale Gas & Oil Conference – London.
•2015 - Planning Panellist at European Shale Gas & Oil Conference – Manchester.
•2016 – Planning Speaker at UK Onshore Oil & Gas Conference.
•2015 – Fracking Regulators Question Time with Kevin Hollinrake – Malton
•2016 – Fracking Regulators open day.- Malton
•2014 – Is Fracking Safe ? – Malton
•2015 – Facts before Fracs – Pickering
•
My position is neither for or against Fracking
Many thanks to Mark Hill for forwarding the Slide Show & courtesy of SBC, not quite the dinosaurs some care to imagine, and for those who missed it (insert your own images :-)
What is the Fracking Picture?
•Millions pages written and ‘facts’ about Fracking – Not being an academic - this presentation simply aims to give a brief overview picture.
•Gas has been recovered in this area (Lockton/Pickering) since 1970’s.
•No such thing as conventional and unconventional gas its all natural gas it’s the method of how its extracted.
•2/3 of UK energy used for heating and cooking which is mostly gas.
•Currently import about 60% of our gas from Norway/Russia/Quatar and % rising year on year as is cost = energy security.
•Renewable energy not created at same time of day/ time of year when there is peak demand.
•Gas generation can be switched on and off quickly for electricity generation (power station base loads).
Why North Yorkshire & Lancashire?
•Geology and scale. In North Sea equivalent of 45m barrels, Wealds basin 2.2-8.6b barrels, Bowland 237t barrels.
•History of conventional gas extraction and existing infrastructure.
•Conventional gas located approx. 1.5km down and shale 3km down with shale reserves upto 5km thick.
•Minerals have to be worked where exist, e.g. Potash in North Yorkshire, Tin in Cornwall.
Drivers for Shale Gas
•UK has commited to zero Carbon energy production by 2035, difficult to see how will happen.
•Most mainstream energy mix scenarios predict renewables including nuclear gaining disappointingly slow market share right up to 2050.
•Theresa May committed UK to closing all coal powered power stations by 2025, Kellingley closed Dec 15).
•2014 Written Ministerial Statement effectively ‘bans’ onshore wind farms.
•As such it likely that for next 30 years gas & oil will remain our main energy fuel source .
•Renewable electricity currently difficult to store, gas easy to store by use strong & oversize pipes
•Cannot escape fact that all Gas owned by state and produces tax revenues.
The 14th Round of PEDL Licences
•NZ09 Staintondale – Egdon.
•SE79 Rosedale Abbey – INEOS.
•SE98c Snainton – INEOS
•SE99a Harwoodale – Third Energy
•TA08 Eastfield – Cuadrilla
•TA09 Cloughton – Third Energy
•SE78f Hutton le Hole –INEOS
Sequence
•Bid for PEDL
•Explore & investigate geology
•Seismic to refine knowledge
•Borehole to core shale
•Appraisal Frack
•Production
Recent Developments
•Infrastructure Act 2015 – Ban announced on Fracking ( including ancillary fracking) from surface of National Parks & AONB’s & WHS but allowed underneath provide deeper than 1200m and also 1200 below SSSI’s & SPZ’s.
•November 2014 – Third Energy announce plans to apply to Frack existing Kirby Misperton well near Malton.
•NYCC Decision approved May 2016. Judicial Review tbh 22nd November – grounds include : climate change: restoration bond: bats.
•July 2015 - Lancashire CC – Officer Recommendation of Approval – members Refused planning permission to: drill & frack at Preston New Road . Planning Appeal allowed by SoS October 2016.
•Roseacre Wood - Planning Appeal dismissed in October due to impacts on area.
•November 2015 – IGAS apply to frack to Nottinghamshire CC, Springs Road Misson. (2623 objections 6 support) Decision taken 18th November – recommended for Approval & Members approved.
•Nottinghamshire second application by Dart Energy due for decision Dec 2016.
•Associated groundwater boreholes ‘permitted development’.
•Sovereign wealth fund (based on shale gas royalties) to be created by Government, estimated a property owner could receive £10,000 in rural areas where few houses.
•Secretary of State to recover Shale gas appeals .
The Claimed Benefits
•Not in conflict with Climate Change, rather it’s a ‘bridge’ until renewables take over and create zero carbon energy scenario.
•UK could be self sufficient again in energy and with potential to export.
•Significant jobs and wealth creation and investment.
•Local benefits including; 100% Business rate uplift by Councils,
£100,000 paid to local communities per lateral well, 1% of revenues paid to communities (estimated (£5-10m), Government sovereign wealth fund.
Claimed Risks & Harm
•Contributes to climate change not assist.
•Safety of sites (including blowouts).
•Risk of earthquakes ( Preese Hall farm Blackpool, 2.3 & 1,5 magnitude tremors in april-may 2011 – subsequent Government report changed procedures rather than banning).
•Subsidence, regulation can make fracking safer but not safe.
•Depletion of water supplies ( industry suggests water needed at a site for a decade equates to that needed to water a golf course for a month),
•Pollution of water aquifers given some frack fluid remains (including wellbore pressure testing for integrity),
•Unpopular with the public so no social license to operate.
•Air & noise pollution ( including road traffic & fugitive emissions)
•Liquid & solid wastes disposals ( including , radioactive contaminants)
•Laying of miles of pipelines from extraction sites to existing gas transmission network or small scale gas power stations and overhead lines to grid.
•Will not cut bills due to higher development costs here than US & ‘baseless economics’.
•Even if start now no production for at least 10 years so not keep lights on in near future.
•What level of risk is acceptable ‘in the public interest’ ?
What Happens Next?
•Tomorrow, Judicial Review of NYCC decision at Kirby Misperton, if challenge succeeds, re-determination of application covering points that were lacking.
•After 14th PEDL licenses awarded, Third Energy/INEOS/Cuadrilla doing further research of existing geological data.
•Likely to be some permitted development seismic surveys & ownership enquiries of the areas to target potential sites to apply for planning permission to bore.
•Typically OGA expects companies to have a proper exploration programme running within 6 yrs, appraisal wells within following 4 yrs, and production within the following 10yrs or they loose whole or part of license area.
•Oil & Gas applicants ask MPA|’s for EIA screening/scoping opinions and these available on public EIA register.
•Questions about technical issues most likely to be found in EIA Statement accompanying any Fracking Planning application.
What Can You Do?
•Government Planning Policy contained in National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) :
•When planning for onshore gas including unconventional hydrocarbons, ….address constraints on production……
•NYM & NYCC & CYC - Joint Minerals and Waste plan.
•Given National stance, it cannot adopt a Fracking ban.
•Plan can however say where and where should not go ahead at a local level.
•‘Publication Draft’ issued November 2016 with Fracking policies published , public consultation stage currently until 17.00hrs 21st December 2016.
•See Hydrocarbons chapter, page 75 onwards on NYCC website.
•In brief, ban on Fracking in NP’s, AONB’s SPA, WHS, scheduled ancient monuments, battlefields, SPA’s, SAC’s, Setting of historic York, Ramsar, SSSI’s , registered Parks & Gardens.
•Very special scrutiny given within 3.5km buffer of NP or AONB, or Heritage Coast,
•Have good A or B class road connections, not give rise to cumulative impacts e.g. max 10 well pads per 100km2 PEDL area, have high standard protection for existing businesses & visitor attractions, 500m from residential properties.
•Listen to both sides. Clearly two sides to the argument : based on need for energy supplies for heating homes versus potential risks to the local ecosystems and wider environment and : make your own mind up.
•Still early days to determine where the overriding public interest will eventually lie and whether there will be a ‘social license to operate’ for the Fracking Industry.
The final draft for the M&WJP is open to public consultation with 'fracking' and shale gas from page 75 and can be found here: http://www.northyorks.gov.uk/article/26218/Minerals-and-waste-joint-plan
The Timetable : Preparation of minerals and waste joint plan
May 2013 to October 2016
Publication
November 2016
Submission
March 2017
Examination
April 2017 to October 2017
Adoption
November 2017
Meanwhile for further Q's & A's and to engage with the Environment Agency the next Public meat & greet is at the Merchant Taylor's Hall, YORK, on Tuesday 29th November 2.00pm to 7.00 pm
Poster here: Regulators Event York Poster 20161129.pdf
Park life, eh? Old habbits ;-)
For the latest on KM8 : https://drillordrop.com/2016/11/22/council-defends-decision-to-approve-n...
Despite some hisses and groans from the gallery Q's & A's were taken from the floor.
From the bridge:
Conventional gas is taken from above the shale rocks (c1.5km depth) The shale gas industry aims to tap into the gas direct from the shale rock (c3km depth).
Potential gas to be extracted is up to 5km thick.
Electricity is hard to store, gas can be stored and is measured in scuffs. Infrastructure is in place for liquified gas.
The Govt. owns all the gas.
Until an appraisal frack the extractors don't know if it is there.
Currently thre are three fracking appraisal approvals.
Applications are threefold. Exploration, Appraisal & Extraction.
Ground water boreholes for potential development require monitoring for 12 months prior to an application to check against a baseline for impacts that may be contributed by fracking.
SoS intervention, previous call ins by the SoS include Traveller Sites and Windfarms. There was a ban on onshore windfarms taken to JR and the Inspector approved but the windfarm operators refused.
Gas is a fossil fuel and requires drilling rigs. There have been some blowouts in the US and site safety is paramount. Rigs can make fracking safer, not safe.
Possible polution of aquifers not popular with the public. If producing pipelines, liquid and solid waste disposals permits fall under the EA & HSE.
Potential extraction sites require siesmic survey and require the land owners permission. These can potentially done by air but most use 'hydro' trucks.
The OGA expects exploration to operation within 6 years or the licence folds.
All O&G exploration falls under EIA screening and technical issues are recorded under EIA Reg 22.
The M&WJP is to be used for policy reference.
Up to 10 wells per pad is deemed sufficient.
Restorations funds & bond .... if the company goes bust, the HSE & EA will ultimately persue the land owner.
To Do:
a: Secure restoration, mitigation measures and Bond.
b: Identify, check out/lobby the landowners.
Now, about that rewilding :-00
11 Comments
Opportunity Knocks
Submitted by Captain Black on
http://www.gazetteherald.co.uk/news/14920051.Judge_reserves_fracking_ver...
http://www.gazetteherald.co.uk/news/14925380.210_homes_plan_for_Stamford...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClQcUyhoxTg
Government & 'DirtyTricks'
Submitted by Captain Black on
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/nov/25/government-accused-o...
"Ministers deliberately delayed a controversial fracking report it was being forced to publish until after crucial council decisions on planning permission, according to newly revealed documents.
The documents also show ministers acknowledged they were open to a charge of double standards, having granted local communities the final say over windfarm applications but overruling fracking decisions.
The documents reveal “dirty tricks” and “deceit”, according to shadow ministers, councillors and green campaigners, which strengthen fears that the government is determined to force shale gas exploration on communities....
"While the energy department released documents related to the publication of the report, Defra is still refusing to follow suit. “Ministers should publish the correspondence on fracking that Defra has been hiding for more than a year,” said Martin. “This is an opportunity for May’s government to make a clean break with the past and prove they can be trusted.”
A government spokesman said: “We complied fully with the information commissioner’s [FOI] ruling that we publish the report within the established timescales,” ie within 35 days of 9 June 2015.
He said: “As the material made clear, we do not believe this internal document – which was incomplete and had not been peer-reviewed – was sufficiently analytically robust to inform policy-making.”
Eh, so ....
http://researchbriefings.parliament.uk/ResearchBriefing/Summary/SN04370
http://ihod.com/home/
'Fright Night'
Submitted by Captain Black on
The Full Monty?
Hold Tight ;-)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEcjgJSqSRU
Clusters : -)))
http://newsthump.com/2016/11/16/oxford-dictionaries-reveal-word-of-the-y...
PS: stop whining
;-) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f55CqLc6IR0
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-38111133
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/nov/25/blackout-friday-in-centr...
"Some West End plays, including Aladdin, Jersey Boys, Thriller Live, the Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time and Les Misérables were cancelled, with theatres offering refunds."
fascinating... show time. ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O704ld5WQnk
Ah. so .. from A to B ....
Mind the gaps.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQEyjiCTk9g
Doors ... open & close. tis a fact.
Fracking : Herald
Submitted by Captain Black on
Fifty, Fifth... or Frothy?
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/14921024.Half_of_Scots_back_fracking_...
"MORE than half of people support the current temporary ban on fracking in Scotland just months after the first imports of shale gas arrived on the country’s shores, according to a new opinion poll.
Fewer than a fifth of the 1,000 people questioned over the controversial issue are opposed to the ban on the process which sees natural gas extracted from the earth.
The Scottish Government has retained its moratorium announced in January last year, despite petro-chemical giant Ineos making the first shipments of the gas to Grangemouth in September, and plans a public consultation next year.
Opposition politicians said the BMG survey for The Herald showed ministers should ban fracking completely.
But the Scottish Government said it showed Scots back their decision it was determined to take a “cautious, evidence-led approach”.
Liam McArthur, the Scottish Liberal Democrats energy spokesman, said: “This survey shows that the SNP should stop dragging their heels and ban fracking altogether.”
Opening up a new front of carbon-based energy production would do nothing to meet climate commitments, he added.
“While the indications are that the Scottish Government is heading towards a ban, they still remain nailed to the fence.
“If the SNP are serious about tackling climate change, ministers must join the Scottish Liberal Democrats in unequivocally ruling out fracking.”
Lang Banks, the director of WWF Scotland, said: “It’s great to see a majority of Scots have seen through the PR spin of the fossil fuel industry and are in favour of a fracking ban.”
He urged Scottish ministers to “listen to the public and implement a ban on fracking as they have already done on underground coal gasification”.
The survey also found 20 per cent of Scots reject the idea that global warming is related to human action.
But the Scottish Government said ministers were determined to take a “cautious, evidence-led approach”.
The poll found also that support for gas exploration collapsed when the word “fracking” was mentioned.
The process sees water, sand and chemicals pumped deep underground at high pressure to fracture shale rock and release gas.
However, the SNP Government has come under pressure to make a long-term decision after the Grangemouth refinery began importing US shale gas to Scotland in September.
Scottish ministers are to hold a public consultation next year.
The poll asked: “The Scottish Government currently has a temporary ban on fracking in Scotland. Do you support or oppose the continuation of the ban?”
BMG found that 54 per cent of Scots said that they supported a ban, 19 per cent were opposed, while the rest said that neither option fitted their opinion.
The poll, of 1,039 people in October, found SNP and Labour voters opposed fracking, while Conservatives backed it."
Order.
The Death of Coal?
Submitted by Benefitz Betty on
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/nov/25/is-this-the-beginnin...
5km thick...
http://www.ukogplc.com/ul/US%20EIA%20Technically%20Recoverable%20Shale%2...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZhdfoisBf0
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/nov/27/francois-fillon-on-course-...
Ah, so ...
http://www.french-news-online.com/wordpress/?p=5612#axzz4RFAE1OsI
'Fillon et le "gaz de shit" - Le Figaro'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4492zdXJS58
Fracking Clusters
Submitted by Captain Black on
Crackers ...
http://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/news/environment/look-just-tell-us-your-f...
"Councillors Dennis and Gerry Goldie made their views known at a meeting of Falkirk Council’s executive committee on Tuesday as members discussed a report on local nature conservation.
Gerry Goldie questioned why Ineos was importing shale gas from the USA when it was right under their feet in Airth and his brother Dennis branded members of Falkirk SNP group “cowardly” for signing a document which could prevent them from voting for or against fracking in the future.
“I would like to know where the local administration leans on the issue of fracking.”
Councillor Martin responded he did not mind his members speaking their mind, but the Labour Party had made its opposition to the process quite clear, while the SNP government had yet to do so.
He said: “The SNP does not oppose fracking, they instead have a moratorium in force which means the leadership may take the decision in the future that fracking could happen in Scotland.”
Quackers ..
"More locally, the East Riding's main priorities are far right extremism, animal rights and anti-fracking."
"“The suggestion that the local anti-fracking campaign is a threat to young people at risk of recruitment into terrorism is unfounded and should be publicly withdrawn immediately.
“The implications of children being taught to spy on and report each other, or parents who are anti-frackers, to teachers or the police is a shocking reminder of the tactics of the Gestapo or Stasi."
The retired education director from Beverley said residents who campaigned to stop exploration at Crawberry Hill, Walkington, included librarians, probation officers, social workers, teachers, .... a university lecturer and a professor."
http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/fury-as-driffield-school-lists-fracking-g...
Erm... self explanatory me thinks ... insert your own list of 'extremists' ad infinitum ;-)
http://www.thescarboroughnews.co.uk/news/crime/new-volunteer-police-cade...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtcvQdcfWCo
Ah, so ... http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-38178486
Oh, OK ... Prevention : http://www.thecanary.co/2016/12/01/school-just-told-parents-anti-frackin...
... tis the 'new badge of honour' ya know
Anyhoos hands up if you ever had an ASBO? Erm ... OSBO...
http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/exclusive-yorkshire-s-failure-to-agr...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0s0onZaiL4Q
Cuadrilla's Horizontal Pledge
Submitted by Captain Black on
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-38182508
"The company behind the UK's first horizontal fracking operation has announced six "commitments" which it claims will ensure Lancashire benefits.
Cuadrilla's plans for fracking at its Preston New Road site at Little Plumpton were approved in October.
The firm says it will put Lancashire first for creating jobs, new skills, investment, and community initiatives.
Opponents said they were surprised by the news since a legal challenge to the government's decision is outstanding.
Preston New Road Action Group issued formal legal proceedings at the High Court in November.
Cuadrilla's commitments
Cuadrilla said an "independently audited tracker" will monitor its pledges to Lancashire.
Chief executive Francis Egan said the shale gas industry would be good for the county's economy.
"We expect that in the exploration phase alone we will spend in the order of £50m - clearly all of that will not go to Lancashire... but we would hope that up to half of that money could get spent in Lancashire," he said.
The firm also said Bolton-based civil engineering firm AE Yates Ltd has been awarded the site's £1.5m building contract.
Work is expected to start early next year, Cuadrilla said."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-38182508
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miOalF5kUPQ
Gnash: The Dash
Submitted by Captain Black on
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2K4wJ8EmZ0
1. Further to the programme announced in the 2014 Autumn Statement, the Government is making £800,000 available in 2016/17 to support mineral planning authorities dealing with shale planning applications.
2. The Government recognises shale represents a new area for mineral planning authorities and that it will present complex and challenging issues for them in processing shale planning applications. This prospectus sets out how mineral planning authorities can bid for funding to improve their capacity and capability to deal with shale planning applications...
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/fil...
Choo choo :
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0854916/hardtalk-jim-ratcliffe-fou...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wv1HX80u5x4
KM8 ... Verticals
Submitted by Benefitz Betty on
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-38378400
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/dec/20/fracking-to-go-ahead...
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/dec/19/environmentalists-fudgin...
http://www.yorkshirecoastradio.com/news/local-news/2181253/judge-rules-i...
ODD ;-)
KM8: Camp Campaign
Submitted by Benefitz Betty on
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-38463634
"Protesters at a camp set up near a site given the go-ahead for fracking say they want to turn the site into the "national focus" for campaigning.
Third Energy was granted planning permission to extract shale gas in Kirby Misperton, Ryedale, in May, with a High Court challenge failing.
Activists moved on to private farmland near the site just before Christmas.
Third Energy said its operations would be developed in a "safe, discreet and environmentally-sensitive way".
It intends to frack an existing well - KM 8 - to establish whether gas can be commercially extracted, but the company has not yet indicated when it intends to begin the tests.
Campers said hundreds of people had come to show their support since the site was established...
"Louise Hammond, from Lincolnshire, said: "This field we've taken will be full before long and it's absolutely massive.
"This is the focus now, nationally. If we can't do anything here then that's it. It's a line in the sand."
The camp was erected about two miles from the well next to a main road, with protesters entering the site without the permission of the landowner.
The occupied land is believed to be the property of Gordon Gibb, the owner of the nearby Flamingoland theme park and zoo...."
"Campaign group Frack Free Ryedale said: "A group of people have chosen to set up a protection camp to raise awareness of concerns about the fracking industry and the dangers it poses to health, well-being and the environment".
A Third Energy spokesperson said: "Third Energy has been producing gas and energy in Ryedale in a safe, discreet and environmentally sensitive way for more than two decades.
"We look forward to being able to develop our operations in the future in the same safe, discreet and environmentally-sensitive way."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQ6zr6kCPj8
Hmmm ... mebbe sticking a fracking rig on the Futurist wasn't such a 'naughty' idea....
I see Donuts :-)
http://democracy.scarborough.gov.uk/documents/s72505/1705%20-%20Appendix...
Three birds ... one stone.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19WUwZYM7bM&index=6&list=RDa8u5-CnmJk8
Whispers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h61QG4s0I3U&index=7&list=RDa8u5-CnmJk8
Fracking Spilling
Submitted by Benefitz Betty on
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-39032748
Thousands of spills at US oil and gas fracking sites
"Up to 16% of hydraulically fractured oil and gas wells spill liquids every year, according to new research from US scientists.
They found that there had been 6,600 releases from these fracked wells over a ten-year period in four states.
The biggest problems were reported in oil-rich North Dakota where 67% of the spills were recorded.
The largest spill recorded involved 100,000 litres of fluid with most related to storing and moving liquids.
Higher numbers
The rapid growth in the extraction of oil and gas from unconventional sources in the US has had a massive impact on the production and consumption of energy over the past ten years.
The key to this expansion has been the use of hydraulic fracturing, the process of injecting fluids with chemical additives under pressure to crack underground rock and release the trapped resources.
However, environmental campaigners have long been troubled by the potential for this process to contaminate water supplies and the environment through leaks and spills.
A study by the US EPA on fracking in eight states between 2006 and 2012 concluded that 457 spills had occurred.
But this new study, while limited to just four states with adequate data, suggests the level of spills is much higher. The researchers found 6,648 spills between 2005 and 2014.
"The EPA just looked at spills from the hydraulic fracturing process itself which is just a few days to a few weeks," lead author Dr Lauren Patterson from Duke University told BBC News."
Oh, do they still have one ....
https://www.epa.gov/hfstudy