LATEST UPDATE 20 July 2007 (unchanged since 4 June)

Star Energy currently plans to further appraise the Albury gasfield by drilling from its existing site in Albury Park.  They also plan to use the Albury gasfield to develop extensive gas storage facilities.  Further details are given below but in summary there are currently 3 phases of proposed development that will affect Albury Park:

1. APPRAISAL OF ALBURY 2
   Star Energy needs two appraisal wells to assess a new "horizon" of the Albury gasfield.  This new horizon is known as "Albury 2" and is thought to be 4 times bigger than the horizon that has already been depleted "Albury 1".

2. GAS STORAGE OF ALBURY 1
   Star Energy now plans to site gas storage facilities at Furze Copse near Send prison, rather than in Albury Park. However, the gas storage plans will require the drilling of 4 additional development wells from a slightly enlarged site at Albury Park plus a 5 mile pipeline to Furze Copse.

3. GAS STORAGE OF ALBURY 2
   If appraisal of Albury 2 confirms expectations, Star Energy will submit plans to use Albury 2 for gas storage, hence increasing storage capacity by up to 500%.  This would require the drilling of an unspecified number of additional wells in Albury Park.
    

APPRAISAL OF ALBURY 2 Star Energy withdrew their planning application for Albury Park on 16th April 2007 as the application had inadequate noise data and was recommended for refusal.  However, Star Energy recently confirmed to the Community Liaison Panel that in the summer they will resubmit plans to drill 2 new appraisal wells at Albury Park. 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.  Although there were 1924 written objections to Star Energy's withdrawn application, these objections no longer apply - the re-submitted application will be considered as a new application. Please Register for email updates so that we can alert you when the new application is lodged.   Documents relating to the Albury 2 appraisal drilling application (temporarily withdrawn):           Although the Case Officers Report  is 58 pages long, it starts with a 2 page summary.         SaveBlackheathCommon objection documents:         1.      SBC’s Main Objection document - dated 23rd  November 2007         2.      SBC’s Noise Review document – appending Main Objection document         3.      SBC’s Additional Comments document – dated 5th January 2007         4.      SBC’s Further Comments document – dated 7th January 2007         5.      SBC’s Further Comments document – dated 30th January 2007         6.      SBC’s Further Comments document – dated 31-03-07         7.      SBC’s Technical Comments document – dated 2nd April 2007         CPRE Objection document

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GAS STORAGE OF ALBURY 1 Star Energy's has recently confirmed that in the summer they will also be submitting plans for gas storage of the depleted horizon Albury 1.  They will be submitting these plans to the dti using the 1965 Gas Act to circumvent local planning procedures.  Star Energy initially planned to use Albury Park for building their gas storage processing facility but now seem to realise that this level of industrialisation is unacceptable in an AONB.  At the end of May, Star Energy revealed that they now plan to build this facility at Furze Copse 800m east of Send prison. There would be 5 elements to Phase 1 Gas Storage application: 1. 4 additional development drill wells in Albury Park 2. pipeline from Albury Park to Furze Copse Gas Storage site. Would go west of New Road then cross to east of new rd to go under A25 then north to east of Sherbourne Farm. N.B. not West of Landfill site as stated in the Star Energy briefing. Pipeline would be 32” diameter and capable to taking Phase 1 & 2. 26m construction width, 5mile long. 1m min depth. 6mth construction, 6m restoration. 3. Pipe storage area (temporary) south of main road at East Clandon. 4. Furze Copse Gas Storage site 800m east of perimeter of Send prison. 10 acre site area with plant occupying 3acres. 5. pipe connection north from Gas storage plant to Ripley gas connection near Ockham. Star Energy will commission an Environmental Impact Assessment and has produced a detailed EIA scoping report. Star Energy welcomes comments on the proposed scope to help ensure that the EIA considers all environmental issues relevant to the project.   The scoping document is available in hard copy and should be available soon on the Star Energy website.  Enquiries & comments  should be directed to Paul Dacombe, Consents Manager at Star Energy.

GAS STORAGE OF ALBURY 2 If appraisal of Albury 2 confirms expectations, Star Energy will submit plans for phase 2 development of Albury 2 for gas storage.   These plans would utilise the gas processing facility at Furze Copse and the pipeline from Albury Park to Furze Copse.  An additional pipeline would be required from Furze Copse to Tatsfield. Gas storage of Albury 2 would required an unspecified number of development wells in be drilled, in addition to the two Albury 2 appraisal wells and four Albury 1 development wells.  Each well would take up to 9 weeks to drill and is likely to cause significant noise disturbance in the AONB.

 

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.