Cuadrilla: first shale gas produced from Preston New Road

Cuadrilla described the news as significant and indicative of the potential of the shale.

Francis Egan, Chief Executive Officer of Cuadrilla, explained: “The volumes of gas returning to surface at this stage are small. However, considering that we are only at the very start of fracturing operations and, given operating constrains, have not yet been able to inject as much sand into the shale as we had planned, this is a good early indication of the gas potential that we have long talked about.”

The company, based in Bamber Bridge, Lancashire, plans to fully test flow rates from the first two exploration wells towards the end of 2018 and into the New Year following the completion of hydraulic fracturing operations which began in mid-October.

Mr Egan said: “This Preston New Road site is being monitored to an unprecedented level. This initial gas flow is by no means the end of the story. However, it provides early encouragement that the Bowland Shale can provide a significant source of natural gas to heat Lancashire and UK homes and offices and reduce our ever-growing reliance on expensive foreign imports. This week, three huge tankers carrying liquefied natural gas from across the world, including shale gas imported from the US, will dock in the UK to safeguard our winter gas supplies. If we are able to fully test these wells, without compromising on safety, we have the potential to make a major difference to UK energy supply, security and economic prosperity.”

Read the article online at: https://www.oilfieldtechnology.com/drilling-and-production/02112018/cuadrilla-first-shale-gas-produced-from-preston-new-road/