IGas' UK Shale Well Delayed

In an August 2 trading update, ahead of its September 12 second quarter results, IGas has said its plan to spud its first shale gas appraisal well in the English Midlands has been slightly delayed.

"We have experienced some delays in our final preparations and now expect to spud our first shale appraisal well in North Nottinghamshire at Tinker Lane in Q4 2018," the UK firm said in its statement. Nearby at its second site in the area, Springs Road, it said that construction works are nearing completion. The company has not requested permission to hydraulically fracture (frack) at either site.

In summer 2017, it talked of spudding of a well at one or both sites by the end of that year – meaning that Tinker Lane is one year behind that original schedule.

Referring to the UK's final consent granted July 24 to rival Cuadrilla to frack the UK's first onshore horizontal shale well (in northwest England), IGas CEO Stephen Bowler said: "This was a significant milestone for the industry and brings us a step closer to determining flow rates that will start to prove up the wider shale gas prospectivity. It also demonstrates continued commitment from government at a time when the UK, and indeed the whole of Europe, is becoming ever more dependent on imports. We look forward to starting our own appraisal campaign in North Nottinghamshire soon."

IGas separately said last week it lodged an appeal against a January 25 decision made by Cheshire West and Chester Council's planning and licensing committee that refused planning consent for routine tests on a rock formation encountered in the Ellesmere Port-1 well, an existing well. Whilst that appeal is ongoing, it has decided not to submit a request for planning consent for its separate Ince Marshes site.