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CAMPAIGN UPDATE Oct 26th
Faced with considerable opposition Star Energy withdrew their Blackheath Common application
on 14th July 2006 (see previous
update for full details). In the last 3 months Star Energy have been
reconsidering their options and have released new plans:
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ALBURY PARK APPRAISAL APPLICATION
As anticipated, Star have now submitted a new planning application to
Surrey County Council for drilling and appraisal at the existing Albury Park site.
Advances in borehole drilling technology mean that it is now possible to
directionally drill from the existing wellsite at Albury, rather than
construct a new wellsite on Blackheath Common. The new planning
application is to drill two new boreholes and carry out flow testing for
hydrocarbons at the existing appraisal wellsite compound, at Albury Park,
East of New Road, Albury:
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Star Energy are hoping
that this application will be heard by the Surrey Planning Committee in December
of this year.
The previous Blackheath Common application (now
withdrawn) would have caused permanent damage to Sandy Lane and Blackheath
Common with considerable impact on landscape, ecology, recreational users
and residents. In this new application drilling would take place
within the existing site, where much of the infrastructure including the
access and access roadway and one borehole are already in place. The 24 hour drilling would last
18 weeks, and they will have good initial
appraisal of what they've found within three weeks thereafter. The new
application will still have significant impact in terms of traffic
disturbance, noise, light pollution, emissions and visual impact. The
29m drill rig will be visible from a considerable distance:
All the planning application documents are available on this website
- see Albury Park documents.
All documents can also be viewed at Guildford Planning office. Some application documents can be viewed at
www.guildford.gov.uk/acolnet/
then enter the application number 06/P/02087. Please note that
the application's main 180 page Supporting Statement is not yet
available on the Guildford Borough internet site.
You can comment about the
application to Surrey County Council by going to
http://www1.surreycc.gov.uk/mwplan/default.cfm and entering the
application number GU06/02087.
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STAR'S GAS STORAGE PLANS FOR ALBURY
Star Energy's longer term plans are of considerable concern.
At a recent liaison meeting Star Energy revealed that Albury Park is firming up to be their
preferred option for the 'Gas Plant' too - i.e. the plant that will allow
storage (compressing the gas to put it underground; and then cleaning and
de-humidifying the gas when it is re-extracted. Previously Star Energy
have said that the Gas Storage facility could be located anywhere between
Albury and the Ripley gas pipeline.
Unlike the drilling rig, this gas plant is, in effect, a permanent
installation, and it would be placed adjacent to the current Albury site -
effectively enlarging the existing site. This would involve a separate
application and would obviously have considerable implications - we will
provide details as any further details are known. We must carefully
assess the implications of any new planning application and remain vigilant about protecting our
countryside and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty for the future.
Are these facilities appropriate in an
AONB?
Click here for
additional photographs of Humbley Grove Storage Facility
Star Energy intends to apply for the gas storage under the 1965
Gas Act. This new approach by Star is an attempt to circumvent local
planning regulations and public opposition so that their plans can be
implemented without delay. If Star is able to use the Gas Act for their storage
application then the Energy Minister will decide on the application,
although Surrey CC are among the statutory consultees.
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BLACKHEATH COMMON
At the recent liaison meeting Star Energy pledged (for the second time in as many meetings) that
they would NOT try to come onto Blackheath Common for any further well-sites or for
the gas plant (although it remains a possibility that they may need a
further well-site somewhere 'in the Shalford direction').
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PUBLIC MEETING FRIDAY 10TH NOV 7pm
Albury Parish Council have kindly agreed to host a Public Meeting to discuss
Star Energy's Albury Park planning application for appraisal and future plans
for gas storage facilities:
Albury Village Hall
Friday 10th November 7-9pm
(Please note that the meeting was originally scheduled for 22nd Nov)
Speakers will outline the plans & implications, followed by open discussion.
Click here for poster to
advertise meeting
Click here for a latest update
sheet
In addition, Star Energy is planning to hold a 'consultation event and exhibition' about
this application at Albury Village Hall on Tuesday 14th November 5-7pm (date
& time to be confirmed).
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STOCK EXCHANGE ANNOUNCEMENT 18 OCT
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Star Energy Group PLC said it has decided to withdraw its current planning
appeals and re-apply for consent to build a gas storage facility at
Welton in Lincolnshire under different
legislation. The new application is under the 1965 Gas Act, which the company
said has never been used previously and provides for the storage of gas in
natural porous strata such as partially depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs.
Applications under the 1965 Gas Act are submitted to the Energy Minister rather
than local planning authorities, with the Department of Trade and Industry as
the determining authority.
The company expects the decision to take six months once the application has
been submitted. Star Energy is also planning to submit a 1965 Gas Act planning
application for its Phase 1 Albury gas
project during the first half of 2007. Immediately following the Albury
appraisal well the company plans to drill an appraisal well on its
Bletchingley gas field in anticipation of a
1965 Gas Act application for a further gas storage facility.
It also plans an application under the 1965 Gas Act for its
Gainsborough gas storage project.
Star Energy also said it is actively pursuing possible asset acquisitions in
Western Europe.
Click here for full Star Energy Press Release
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