Update Sept 2018 – Europa Oil and Gas pulled out of this site because the Forestry Commission was not renewing the lease.
Europa Oil & Gas fought a six year battle against local residents to impose the drilling site on the community, first submitting their planning application in 2009.
All necessary planning consents are now in place for the drilling of the Holmwood-1 exploration well. This well is intended to test the Portland sandstone, Kimmeridge Clay and Corallian targets, and is similar to the Horse Hill-1 well drilled by UKOG. At present Europa is planning to attempt to drill the Holmwood-1 well in late 2016 or 2017.
Fracking company UK Oil and Gas Investments (UKOG) have stated that the proposed Holmwood-1 well at the site would provide a further valuable “proof of concept” step in UKOG’s plans to exploit the Kimmeridge Clay for shale oil. This threatens the drilling of thousands of wells across the Weald. The British Geological Surveys estimates well over a thousand wells while those from UKOG, based on data from Horse Hill, might require over 3000 wells.
Planning Applications
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| Licensee | Planning ID | Notes | Submitted | Decision | Status | Consultation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Europa Oil & Gas | 2008/0169 | Construction of an exploratory drillsite to include plant, buildings and equipment; the use of the drillsite for the drilling of one exploratory borehole and the subsequent short term testing for hydrocarbons; the erection of security fencing and the carrying out of associated works to an existing access and track all on some 0.79ha, for a temporary period of up to 3 years, with restoration to forestry. | 09/12/2008 | 11/03/2009 | Granted | Closed |
| Europa Oil & Gas | APP/B3600/A/11/2166561 | Appeal of application for construction of an exploratory drillsite to include plant, buildings and equipment; the use of the drillsite for the drilling of one exploratory borehole and the subsequent short term testing for hydrocarbons; the erection of security fencing and the carrying out of associated works to an existing access and track all on some 0.79ha, for a temporary period of up to 3 years, with restoration to forestry. | 17/07/2014 | 09/12/2014 | Granted | Closed |
| Europa Oil & Gas | 2014/0082 | Underground drilling corridor of an exploratory hydrocarbon borehole. | 14/05/2014 | 22/04/2015 | Granted | Closed |
| Europa Oil & Gas | 2016/0170 | The installation of perimeter security fencing consisting of 2 metre (m) high Heras fencing and 3m high deer fencing; an office and wc at the site entrance; and office, welfare accommodation, water fuel and a generator, all ancillary to and in association with appeal decision APP/B3600/A/11/2166561 dated 7 August 2015. | 27/09/2016 | 28/10/2016 | Application | Closed |
Environmental Permits
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| Licensee | Permit ID | Notes | Comments open | Comments deadline | Status | Consultation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Europa Oil & Gas | EPR/YP3735YK/A001EPR/EB3594DF/A001 | Mining waste activities. Storage and handling of crude oil arising from onshore oil and gas exploration and production activities. Handling and storing radioactive substances | 06/04/2017 | 16/05/2017 | Application | Closed |