Scottish Government Announces Inquiry Into Dart's Proposal for CBM

The Scottish Government has announced a public inquiry into Dart Energy’s proposals to bore 22 new coal-bed methane wells in 14 sites in central Scotland.

Earlier this week, the company said it expects ministers to take up to a year to rule on the proposals after both Stirling and Falkirk councils failed to take a decision on the plans.

Australia’s Dart Energy has a portfolio of CBM in Australia, Indonesia, India and China as well as in Europe. It is the operator of seven licences in the UK, for a total original gas in place (OGIP) over 10,000 bcf, the biggest reserves being in East Midlands (4,059 bcf) and Wrexham/Chester (3,197 bcf). 

Dart Energy recently said that the deal between Centrica and Cuadrilla could trigger new enthusiasm for UK shale gas, with positive repercussion for operators trying to find partners for new developments. Dart has indeed a strong position in shale industry, with several licences in the Western Bowland and in the Eastern Bowland.