Fracking Planning Battles On This Year

Progress toward operational onshore shale sites remains slow, but 2015 promises to be an interesting year for consenting, protesting and prospecting shale in the UK. We highlight the implications of the failed Balcombe judicial review challenge, information challenges and court orders on public protests.

Development picking up

Fracking operations have ground to a halt since Cuadrilla's operations at Preese Hall triggered minor earth tremors in 2011. We expect 2015 to be a crunch year for renewed test drilling and fracking:

• Drilling at Celtique Energy's Broadford Bridge conventional exploratory well in West Sussex is due to start in the Spring.
• Ineos has announced significant UK investment plans and IGas reports finding shale gas at its Ellesmere Port site. Coastal Oil and Gas also intends to explore coal strata in east Kent.