Europa Oil and Gas Limited has applied to the Environment Agency for an environmental permit to construct a temporary wellsite to assess gas potential.

The operator has an environmental permit for drilling wells and long-term oil and gas production at its site in Burniston, North Yorkshire. 

It is proposing to construct a temporary wellsite, Cloughton 2, for drilling a test borehole to assess gas potential.

The Environment Agency is now seeking views from the local community and interested groups on the application.

The consultation opened last month and will run until 19 September.

Rigorous assessment

Kathryn Richardson, Area Environment Manager at the Environment Agency, said:
"Our regulatory controls for the onshore oil and gas industry are in place to protect people and the environment. 

We will carry out a rigorous assessment of the permit application and would encourage the public and interested groups to get in touch with comments on local environmental factors that people feel are important."

The Environment Agency may only refuse a permit application if it does not meet one or more of the legal requirements under environmental legislation, including if it will have an unacceptable impact on the environment or harm human health.

If all the requirements are met, it is legally obliged to issue a permit. 

The proposed technique, well stimulation (or proppant squeeze), is a process used by the oil and gas industry designed to improve the efficiency of the flow of oil or gas through the reservoir rock and into the well.

Mining and extractive industries must have an environmental permit to operate. Issued by the Environment Agency, environmental permits detail the conditions that an operator is required to meet to ensure its activities minimise the risk of harm to people and the environment. 

KeyFacts Energy: Europa Oil & Gas UK country profile