Category Archives: News

Lawfulness of Cuadrilla’s fracking operation remains in doubt

Yesterday, three people were on trial for a second day at Preston Magistrates Court following their action which shut down Cuadrilla Resources’ hydraulic fracturing site beside the Ribble Estuary in Lancashire in December 2011. Two of the defendants went free when it became clear that the charges against them had been poorly framed. They had […]

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Fracking on trial – again!

The safety of fracking will be challenged at Preston Magistrates Court this week, as 3 people go on trial following a protest at Cuadrilla’s Hesketh Bank site, Lancashire, in December last year. The trial is expected to last until Thursday. On 1 December 2011, protestors from Bristol Rising Tide occupied the test drilling rig, shutting […]

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UK fracker unable to calculate costs or revenue

UK fracker unable to calculate costs or revenue

The part-owner of UK fracker Cuadrilla Resources – AJ Lucas – revealed last week it is unable to value its Lancashire drilling field. The Australian company – which owns 43% of Cuadrilla – hired PKF – a “bad debt and limited resource” consultancy – to value the UK’s favourite fracker. PKF’s report states “there is […]

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The Economist: majority against fracking

The Economist: majority against fracking

The Economist magazine recently conducted an online survey which gathered opinions of fracking worldwide. Asking the question: “would you welcome more exploration for shale gas in your country?” a majority replied in the negative with 43.7% responding “definitely not”. The survey, which had 1116 votes cast, is published on the Economist website here.

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Osborne relative lunches Polish frackers

Osborne relative lunches Polish frackers

The revelation that the father-in-law of UK Chancellor George Osborne is a gas lobbyist  provoked little surprise in Poland. As a Minister at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), Osborne’s father-in-law, Lord Howell, has been enthusiastically promoting UK investment in Polish shale gas. In early June, Howell met the Polish economy, treasury and foreign affairs […]

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Fracking On Trial Next Week

THE TRIAL The trial for the first fracking rig occupation in Lancashire last November kicks off next week. Starting Tuesday 10th July and scheduled to last till Friday 13th July… so four full days at Preston Magistrates Court. If you’re against fracking and want to see it stopped, it’d be great to have your support, […]

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Fracking report ex-President is Cuadrilla Chairman

Fracking report ex-President is Cuadrilla Chairman

The report on fracking released today by the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAE) & the Royal Society omits a key consideration: the RAE’s ex-President is Lord Browne, Chairman of Cuadrilla, the UK’s leading fracker. Lord Browne was head of the RAE – co-author of the report – until last year. Browne owns 30% of Cuadrilla […]

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Fracking plan for Scotland revealed

Fracking plan for Scotland revealed

A newly-released company document shows Australian fracker Dart Energy is preparing to frack in Dumfries, Scotland. The document also reveals a list of fracking chemicals and the quantities to be used near the picturesque town of Canonbie. Dart, via its subsidiary Greenpark Energy, intends to inject 1,100,000 litres of fracking fluid into the ground from […]

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