Drinking water pollution fears over gas drilling plan

Campaigners claim an energy firm's plans to drill through an ancient chalk aquifer in its search for gas risks polluting clean water supplies relied on by large parts of Yorkshire.

Egdon, a UK-based oil and gas firm, said the aquifer, known as the Flamborough Chalk, would be screened off during the first drilling stage when it is at greatest risk.

But Laura Bell, from campaign group Drawing a Line in the Chalk, said: "Egdon are relying on the chances of something happening being so small. There isn't an explanation of what would happen if it did go wrong."

Yorkshire Water said: "The chalk aquifer is highly vulnerable to pollution from activities at the surface at this location."

Egdon's plan, to set up a rig to explore for gas near the village of Foxholes, is expected to go before council planners later in the autumn.

The firm, in its submissions to North Yorkshire Council, has stressed that the application, at a well site known as Weaverthorpe, is not fracking, or the controversial "proppant squeeze" process likened to small-scale fracking.

"For absolute clarity, Egdon will not use the process known as High Volume Hydraulic Fracturing (commonly referred to as 'fracking') or a proppant squeeze as part of the planned operations," the firm wrote in its planning statement.

Egdon's managing director, Mark Abbott, said Egdon's plans are "nothing new," as there is a "long history" of oil and gas wells being drilled through chalk principal aquifers.

"They have drilled successfully and without environmental incident or issue. The techniques are highly regulated, the Environment Agency, the local water boards and the Health and Safety Executive all review our plans before we get to put a drill bit in the ground." Abbott said.

But Bell said she and her Drawing a Line in the Chalk colleagues are not convinced.

"The main concern for most people is we are above that important chalk aquifer, which supplies drinking water for most of East Yorkshire.

"There isn't really a robust plan there if something does go wrong. Also, what I don't want when I have grandchildren is for the Yorkshire Wolds to be covered in gas drilling rigs."

Michael Ellis, who chairs Wolds Newton Parish Council, said the campaigners are concerned about a "pollution risk" to the Gypsey Race, Europe's most northerly chalk stream, which is the closest watercourse to the proposed drilling site.

Ellis said he understood peoples' concerns over rising domestic energy prices, but claimed any gas extracted at Foxholes would have little or no impact, as gas prices are set "on the world markets."

"It's not going to save any money for anyone. The irony is, none of the villages around here have gas, so locally there will be no benefit at all."

Yorkshire Water's warning about the aquifer being "highly vulnerable" is in a letter about the plan, published on North Yorkshire Council's planning portal.

In a statement, a Yorkshire Water spokesperson said the company is committed to doing what is right for its customers and the environment.

The firm's role in this planning application is "solely to consider" its impact on the company's water sources, based on the information provided and the role it has as a consultee.

Yorkshire Water has asked for additional detail on drainage design and maintenance, observation boreholes, decommissioning of the site, and the storage of fuel and foul waste, the spokesperson said.

They added: "We will continue to work with the planning authority as this application progresses and submit any further concerns that may arise in relation to our assets and water sources.

"However, the final decision on acceptability rests with the Environment Agency, Health and Safety Executive and the planning authority."

The Environment Agency has confirmed the Flamborough Chalk is a "principal aquifer," which, the agency said, provide "strategically important" water supplies and the flow of water to rivers.

An EA spokesperson said the agency had received "an environmental permit application" from Egdon.

"This is in relation to proposed activities at its Weaverthorpe well site. As with all applications we are carefully assessing this alongside consultation responses and will update with a final decision in due course," the spokesperson added.

Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.