Burniston gas rig: Council ‘needs clarity’ on Government’s proposed fracking ban
Council bosses have called for clarity on a proposed law to expand the ban on fracking before deciding on an application for a new gas-drilling rig near Scarborough.
Europa Oil & Gas’ application for a 38m gas drilling rig in Burniston, near Scarborough, is currently pending consideration with North Yorkshire Council.
The authority’s leaders have said they require clarity on a proposed permanent legal ban on fracking before deciding on the application, which would use a controversial “proppant squeeze” method to extract gas.
Europa has previously said its scheme would be positive for the local economy and “no one is going to notice” its presence.
Speaking at a full meeting of NYC, Coun Mark Crane, the executive member for open to business, said the authority was sitting on an application in the Scarborough area, adding “we anticipate that we have to get it to the strategic planning committee in the near future.”
He added: “As the law currently stands, there isn’t a reason within the law for refusal. There may be other reasons for refusal.
“I have today written to my friend Ed Miliband, the Secretary of State for Energy, to ask if the Government intends to legislate against this happening.”
The proppant squeeze technique proposed for use in Burniston has been described as “small-scale fracking” and has been accused by some of being a loophole in the UK’s moratorium on the fossil fuel extraction process.
A spokesperson for Europa told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “Councillor Mark Crane is correct that the proposed proppant squeeze, which Europa has made clear throughout the planning process and in engagement with local stakeholders is a low volume hydraulic fracture, in no way infringes on the law.
“Proppant squeeze operations are used regularly and safely across industry. We will continue to engage with all the relevant authorities in the appropriate way to explain this and address any concerns.”
Friends of the Earth wrote to North Yorkshire Council this year notifying it of the legal opinion it had obtained, which said proppant squeeze qualifies as fracking under relevant planning policy, and that it must be considered as such when the council considers Europa’s application for planning permission.
Proppant squeeze procedures have been regularly used in the UK for several years, and industry experts consider the technique low volume, unlike the process formally termed “hydraulic fracturing”.
Europa has also maintained that “it is a misconception that there is a loophole” in the fracking moratorium.
The plans released by the company state: “For clarity, Europa will not use the process known as High Volume Hydraulic Fracturing (commonly referred to as ‘fracking’).”
It added: “As a responsible oil and gas exploration and production business, Europa is highly conscious of its responsibilities and is mindful of the potential risks to people and the environment.”
Coun Crane said the council needs to know “whether or not [the Government] is going to do that soon, or whether North Yorkshire Council will have to make a decision based on the law as it presently stands”.