|
R
| |
This page will update on developments. If you have useful information
please email us.
LATEST UPDATE
10 Mar 2009
 |
APPRAISAL
DRILLING OF ALBURY 2 STARTS IN MAY |
On 27 Feb Star Energy gave plans
for appraisal drilling of the Albury 2 gasfield. Drilling is due to take
place from mid-May to mid-October and involves extensive preparatory work:
 For further details
see Star Energy's full presentation.
|
STAR ENERGY
"HOLD BACK" ON PLANS FOR GAS STORAGE
Roger Pearson, Director for Star Energy's Gas Storage
division has informed the Community Laison Panel that they are "holding
back" on plans for gas storage but will continue with plans for further
apppraisal drilling in Albury Park: |
I need to advise you that we have decided in the
past few days to delay our work on the Albury 1 Gas Storage Project. We have
done so following the acquisition of Marathon Oil Ireland and the plans that go
with it for a very substantial expansion of underground gas storage activity in
Ireland. The sheer scale of that project, coupled with our Waalwijk underground
gas storage project in Holland has forced us to review our priorities in order
to ensure that we are making the best use of our assets – both financial and
manpower.
While the Albury 1 project remains an important part of our overall portfolio,
we feel that it now makes sense to hold back on further work until around the
end of this year. We will however continue with the appraisal drilling (Albury
2) which subject to DECC decision on our Schedule 6 application we hope to start
in the spring. As you are aware, the appraisal drilling will help us to
establish whether there is a viable gas store at a lower level. We will
obviously keep the liaison committee and the wider community informed of
progress.
SaveBlackheathCommon welcomes the news that Star Energy has deferred their gas
storage plans and hope that they will eventually abandon plans to further
exploit the Albury gasfield and damage our Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
10 JULY
|
SURREY
COUNTY COUNCIL GRANTS PERMISSION FOR FURTHER APPRAISAL DRILLING IN
ALBURY PARK
|
On 9th July Surrey County Council's
Planning & Regulatory Committee considered Star Energy's planning application for
temporary drilling and appraisal at the Albury wellsite. Committee
members decided to accept the commendation from the
Planning Officers' Report
that permission be granted. In reaching this opinion, Planning
Officers and the Committee have rejected objections from
Guildford Borough Council, Albury Parish Council, East Clandon Parish
Council, Save Blackheath Common (with over 900 members), the Council for
the Protection of Rural England, The British Horse Society, Blackheath
Village Society, Brook Residents Group, the Woodland Trust, the Surrey
Countryside Access Forum and objection letters from 549 local residents.
Verbal representations by campaign members and CPRE at the meeting
highlighted our objections, with support from local Councillors Cllr David Davis and Cllr
Mike Nevins. However, the decision of the committee was decided to grant permission.
Restrictions have been imposed by Surrey
County Council:
Residents and supporters will monitor
these with vigilance to ensure there are no contraventions by Star Energy.
In terms of Star Energy's broader plans for Gas Storage, opposition is
maintained and we await Star’s full application to the Secretary of State in
this respect.
|
What about Blackheath Common ?
Star Energy gave unequivocal reassurance at a meeting of the
Community Liaison Panel on 24th May that they would not drill wells
on Blackheath Common. They have also confirmed this in writing. |
PREVIOUS FULL UPDATES
|
