Oil and gas exploration and its implications for the Chilterns

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1 Oil and gas exploration and its implications for the Chilterns Lester Hannington, Lead Officer for Minerals and Waste Policy, Buckinghamshire County Council.

2 Oil and Gas consumption in the UK Since the 1970s, the UK has moved away from coal, and heavily towards gas. Where does it come from? - presently 45% from the North Sea, but rapidly declining. - 55% overall is imported- (see next slide for breakdown)

3 Imports of gas into the UK Pipeline from Norway 55% LNG from Qatar 27% Pipeline from Netherlands 14.6% Pipeline from Belgium 2.7% LNG Norway 0.3% LNG Algeria 0.2% LNG Nigeria 0.1%

4 Patterns of imports

5 Plenty of gas available? DECC: As North Sea production declines, our dependency on imported oil and gas will grow and we will become increasingly exposed to the pressures and risks of global markets, and fluctuating prices.

6 Russia now supplies Europe Vast amounts of gas are supplied to European Union Biggest consumers are Germany and Italy (nearly 50% of EU total in 2007)

7 Does the UK import gas from Russia? Picture is not clear Telegraph, March 23rd: Even Britain s largest utility, Centrica, doesn t know. Nor does DECC!!!

8 History of onshore oil and gas in UK - Oil and gas onshore in UK since 1850s - Plays of gas found were from conventional oil and gas resources - Found in Scotland, east Midlands, Sussex - More interest during two World Wars

9 What are the stages involved in exploration? Licensing: by DECC, for Blocks of land 10 x 10kms. Planning permission: from MPA. Permit: from Environment Agency Well consent: Health and Safety Executive If Fracking : additional consent from DECC.

10 What is Fracking? Fracking means hydraulic fracturing. It is a technique to improve the flow of wells used in drilling for conventional oil and gas, and water It means pumping water/sand, with a small amount of chemicals, into the ground Gas within Shale is released

11 So Fracking is not new? UKOOG says: Around 2,000 wells have been drilled onshore in the UK about 10% of them having been hydraulically fractured.

12 14 th Landward round of Licensing On 28/7/2014 DECC announced 14 th Landward Licensing Round. Open to applications until 28/10/2014. May not be until 2015 before Ministers announce new Licenses.

13 Are the Chilterns available for licences? YES Blocks under offer includes half of the Chilterns AONB within Buckinghamshire

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15 NPPF, paragraph 116: Planning permission should be refused for major developments in these designated areas except in exceptional circumstances and where it can be demonstrated they are in the public interest. Consideration of such applications should include an assessment of: - the need for the development, including in terms of any national considerations, and the impact of permitting it, or refusing it, upon the local economy; - the cost of, and scope for, developing elsewhere outside the designated area, or meeting the need for it in some other way; and - any detrimental effect on the environment, the landscape and recreational opportunities, and the extent to which that could be moderated.

16 Buckinghamshire policy Minerals and Waste Local Plan, adopted in 2006, Policy 9 National Planning Policy Framework para 147: when planning for on-shore oil and gas development, including unconventional hydrocarbons, clearly distinguish between the three phases of development (exploration, appraisal and production) and address constraints on production and processing within areas that are licensed for oil and gas exploration or production;

17 Future Policy Planning Practice Guidance published on DCLG website recently Oil and gas to be revisited in Replacement Minerals and Waste Local Plan

18 What are mineral planning authorities expected to include in their local plans on hydrocarbons? Petroleum Licence Areas Criteria-based policies to provide clear guidance and criteria for the location and assessment of hydrocarbon extraction

19 Yes Can oil and gas development be acceptable in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty? Wytch Farm oilfield in Dorset, started in 1973, within the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Now largest onshore oilfield in western Europe. Produces oil and gas from conventional resources.

20 Wytch Farm, Dorset

21 What happens and when? a few weeks to prepare the site eight to twelve weeks to drill the well one to three months of completion activities EITHER producing well for 20 to 40 years, OR, Well is removed, pipes removed, land reclaimed.

22 Who regulates oil and gas? DECC via PEDLs MPA planning permission, with conditions and obligations Environment Agency Permit- especially waste and water Health and Safety Executive Well Consent If Fracking, then DECC approval again

23 How will the Chilterns AONB be protected? If Planning Permission granted, then conditions on: - Access - Routing - Noise - Lighting - Screening - Reclamation and Afteruse

24 Want to know more? See: - Fracking Frequently Asked Questions Note on BCC website - DECC website:

25 Any Questions? Contact Lester Hannington Telephone: