Celtique Will Not Appeal Drilling Refusals in West Sussex

Despite some issues with permits on a local level, the United Kingdom reiterated its commitment to gas, underlining its importance in the national energy mix. 

“Since then 42 billion barrels of oil have been recovered so far, and with another 20 billion or more to still be drawn from our mature basin it’s clear that oil and gas will form an integral part of the UK energy mix for decades to come” Matthew Hancock, Minister of State for Energy, said on Wednesday. 

Hancock also spoke about renewables, nuclear power, and Underground Coal Gasification (UGC).

“Given that offshore UCG is a relatively new technology, the relevant environmental regulators are exploring the regulatory regime and permitting. DECC will consider the issue too to build up an evidence base” he said during the NOF Conference in Newcastle.

Meanwhile, Celtique Energie Weald decided not to lodge an appeal against the refusal of planning permission by South Downs National Park Authority for exploration activities in Linchmere, West Sussex. The company also withdraw the appeal against West Sussex County Council’s decision not to grant planning permission to explore for shale hydrocarbons in Wisborough Green, West Sussex. 

‘The reasons for withdrawing the appeal at Boxal Bridge are primarily due to the impact of the Inquiry delay has on future exploration and potential appraisal operations that need to be completed in order to deliver a development application within the licence time period’ reads a note released on Wednesday. 

Last month, the UK government has "agreed in principle" not to award licences for unconventional oil and gas exploration in Scotland as part of the 14th licensing round.