Cuadrilla starts fracking second well

Cuadrilla

Hopes new data will support expert technical review of regulations

CUADRILLA has started fracking a second well at its site in Lancashire, UK, and is seeking variation on planning permission to operate beyond the current expiry date of November.

Cuadrilla began fracking its first well in October 2018 but had to suspend work due to tremors. This was the first time since 2011 that onshore fracking took place in the UK, after a moratorium was issued following tremors at a different Lancashire site.

The current regulations are known as the “traffic light” system, where a tremor above 0.5 on the Richter scale constitutes “red” and fracking must be stopped. A total of 56 tremors were recorded in 2018 and Cuadrilla had to halt fracking five times, according to independent journalism website Drill or Drop. “Red” events were detected three times while fracking was taking place, and a further three times when no fracking was occurring. As a result, the first well was only partially fracked.