Earthquake Halts Cuadrilla Operations

Cuadrilla Resources has stopped its hydraulic fracking operations near Blackpool after an earthquake hit the Fylde coast, two miles from the company's Preese Hall site.

The British Geological Survey immediately launched an investigation into what caused yesterday’s earthquake, which measured 2.2 on the Richter Scale.

“We investigated if the earthquake was caused by drilling for shale gas, and from the results, we can’t tell. The epicentre was certainly close by, which points towards the drilling being responsible, but the depth was around 9km underground, which is a lot deeper than the drilling," said the Geological Survey's Brian Baptie.

“Similar quakes have been recorded during other episodes of drilling for oil so it is not out of the question. The nearest sensors are around 70km away – we could look at bringing them nearer to monitor the situation.”

A spokesman for Cuadrilla said: “No fracking operations were taking place at the time of the earthquake.

“However, the company has chosen to pause its fracking programme for several days, pending confirmation of the full data. “

Dr Peter Turner, director of exploration at Cuadrilla added: “Minor earthquakes and tremors happen in the UK from time to time, indeed there were five reported from around the country this week. We are confident this is just a coincidence.”

“All of our activity is tightly regulated by the Environment Agency and other Government bodies, with the UK considered as having one of the most stringent regulatory frameworks in the world.”

Source: Blackpool Gazette

Read the March 31st article 'UK shale plans target cheap gas'  by Roger Harrabin Environment analyst, BBC News HERE