Fracking with Nitrogen is one of the processes proposed by Rathlin Energy Ltd in its operations summary for a new exploratory well at Ballinlea.
Here is a video of a Nitrogen frac in action at a vertical shale well in the Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania. The cameraman seems to think that it is an acceptable industrial operation to undertake in a ‘residential’ area…
Providence Resources UK Ltd has confirmed to DETI as of yesterday (12th August 2014), that the company has decided to relinquish its Petroleum Licence, PL5/10, which covers Rathlin Island.
Providence’s decision to relinquish the Licence is based on the ‘lack of significant prospectivity identified in the licence area.’
However, the company continues to hold a Petroleum Licence granted by the Department of Energy and Climate Change for offshore in the Rathlin Sound, posing grave risks to the coastlines of Rathlin Island, our whole north coast, and the Scottish west coast.
Rathlin Energy Ltd continue to hold their onshore licence (PL3/10) for the mainland Rathlin Basin, extending from Ballycastle in the east, to Magilligan in the west, and as far inland as Garvagh.
Celebrations tonight in Belcoo.
Minister for the Environment, Mark H Durkan, has rejected Tamboran Resources Ltd’s assertion that they could drill an exploratory borehole in a quarry in Belcoo, Fermanagh under Permitted Development Rights (PDR).
His press release says:
“The Department of the Environment received notification from Australian Mining Company Tamboran of their intention to drill a core of rock from Cleggan Quarry, Belcoo on 21 July 2014. The company sought confirmation that this work could be carried out under current permitted development rights without the need for full planning permission as part of their ongoing exploration into the viability of extracting shale gas by means of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in County Fermanagh.
Minister Durkan stated: “I have given very careful consideration to Tamboran’s proposal to drill a core of rock from Cleggan Quarry near Belcoo and whether this is permitted development under current legislation. I have concluded that this is Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) development requiring full planning permission and that permitted development rights do not apply. In making this assessment I have been mindful of my Department’s responsibility to ensure that the environment is protected at all times and that full consideration is give to any likely significant environmental impacts of such a proposal.
“I have concerns that this is an existing quarry where unauthorised extraction has taken place. I believe there is insufficient information to establish what environmental impacts may have already arisen as a result of these unauthorised activities. Therefore, it is not possible to assess the environmental impact of the drilling cumulatively with other unknown environmental impacts of unregulated activity.
“In arriving at this decision I believe I must proceed on the basis of a precautionary principle. This principle establishes that a risk exists if it cannot be excluded on the basis of objective information and in the case of doubt as to the absence of significant effects then a full Environmental Assessment should be carried out. I have therefore concluded this is EIA development requiring full planning permission with an accompanying Environmental Statement and current permitted development rights do not apply.” “
Tamboran Resources Ltd, the Australian-owned company with a petroleum licence for the Lough Allen Basin, are right now preparing to drill an exploratory borehole at a quarry just outside Belcoo in Co. Fermanagh. They moved in and put up security fencing with razor-wire in the early hours of July 21st when people were sleeping. Find out more from the links under ‘Stay up to date’, below.
Minister for the Environment, Mark H Durken is due to make a decision shortly about whether the drilling will be allowed to go ahead. You can join with hundreds of others in opposing this drilling by clicking here or the link below under ‘Action you can take’, and sending an email to the Minister, asking him to do the right thing.
Action you can take:
Do the right thing on Fracking Minister Durkan. Public participation E-mail action: https://www.facebook.com/events/335700499919709/
Stay up to date here:
Frack-Off Belcoo Community Blockade: http://frack-off.org.uk/belcoo-community-fracking-blockade/
Belcoo Frack Free: https://www.facebook.com/belcoofrackfree?hc_location=timeline
Ban Fracking Fermanagh: https://www.facebook.com/BanFrackingFermanaghCampaign
No Fracking Northern Ireland: https://www.facebook.com/pages/No-Fracking-Northern-Ireland/110905929036805
Fermanagh Fracking Awareness Network: http://www.frackaware.com/wordpress/
Love Leitrim: http://www.loveleitrim.org/
No To Fracking 