Permit variation granted for oil and gas site

The Environment Agency has granted a permit variation for Rathlin Energy (UK) at its East Yorkshire site.

The firm, which has operated at West Newton since 2013 and has a permit for drilling wells and long-term oil and gas production, applied to vary the permit at its A well site in High Fosham to carry out "reservoir stimulation".

The process is used to improve the efficiency of the flow of oil or gas through the reservoir rock and into the well and Rathlin said it marked a "key regulatory milestone" towards development and eventual production at West Newton.

The decision was based on the firm demonstrating it had met and would continue to meet mandatory conditions, the agency said.

A second consultation on the permit change was extended last year in response to representations from residents.

Kathryn Richardson, the agency's Yorkshire area environment manager, said: "We have reviewed the comments and evidence from both public consultations into this application.

"Environmental law sets out these conditions, and as a regulator we will issue the permit if we can find no reason that the operator would not be able to comply."

However, she added: "I want to reassure people that the permit variation will ensure that robust levels of environmental protection are met."

The agency may only refuse a permit application if it does not meet one or more of the legal requirements under environmental legislation, which includes an unacceptable impact on the environment or harm to human health.

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

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