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Shale gas exploration gets go ahead in Banks

despite Blackpool tremors
Jun 7 2011
(http://www.southportvisiter.co.uk
/southport-news/southport-
southport-news/2011/06/07/)
by Tom Bristow, Midweek Visiter

A CONTROVERSIAL gas exploration method which was halted following a minor earthquake
will go ahead just six miles from Southport town centre.

Cuadrilla Resources will drill for shale gas despite their technique being under investigation
following an earthquake near their Blackpool site.

Drilling is expected to begin at Bonny Barn Farm on Marsh Road in Banks in early July as the
company searches for energy reserves across Lancashire.

The British Geological Survey said it recorded a 1.5 magnitude earthquake near Blackpool on
May 27 that was felt by at least one person. A magnitude 2.3 tremor was also recorded in
April.

Exploration for shale gas uses a technique known as fracking, which shoots high-pressure jets
of water underground to crack open shale rocks releasing the gas.

Its supporters have hailed it as a solution to the world’s dwindling energy supplies.

But the state of New York and France have banned shale gas exploration over fears it was
contaminating water supplies.

If the exploration in Banks goes to plan the fracking process is set to begin in the new year.

A spokesman from Cuadrilla Resources said minor tremors happened all the time and the
company were investigating the earthquake reports in Blackpool.

He also highlighted the “significant” economic benefits gas drilling could bring to Southport.

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The spokesman believed £1million was being brought into the area.

He also stressed that Cuadrilla was only in the early stages of exploring for shale gas and it
was impossible to tell how much could be under our feet.

Banks’ County Councillor Malcolm Barron said he was keeping an open mind about shale
gas, but did have concerns about the amount of traffic on the site.

“It is a pretty rough road,” he said. “I’m obviously concerned about some of the reports we
have been having and we have to look at the scientific evidence.”

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