LATEST UPDATE 2 August 2007

Click here for a printable 1 page brief update plus objection info
 

GAS STORAGE PLANS SUBMITTED TO SEC. OF STATE On 25th July 2007 Star Energy submitted plans to the Secretary of State for their proposed Albury Gas Strorage Project.  This preliminary submission is for a Storage Authorisation Order under the Gas Act 1965.

        Click here to view the submission.

The preliminary submission stage provides an opportunity to identify any overriding objections to a proposal such that it would not be appropriate for it to proceed and be considered fully at the formal application stage. The Secretary of State also considers that it provides an opportunity for consultees and interested parties to make representations on any further information they would like to see covered in more detail in the application and/or any Environmental Statement.

        Star Energy's proposals raise many concerns and our grounds for objection will include the following:

§    NATIONAL INTEREST - The case has not been made that there is an overriding national interest for this gas storage development that warrants industrialisation in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

§ ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION – Albury Park should be protected as it lies within AONB, Green Belt, an area of Great Landscape Value, a Site of Nature Conservation Importance, Historic Parkland and Ancient Woodland.

§ ALTERNATIVE SITES  NOT DEMONSTRATED -   An adequate options appraisal has not been presented to demonstrate that there is no alternative to accessing the Albury gasfield through Albury Park

§ SAFETY/SECURITY CONCERNS – this will be a high pressure gas facility with wellheads only 170m from residential properties, close to busy roads, bridleways and numerous recreational users.  The site will be expanded and have a much larger inventory making this development much more of a risk than the existing single small well.

§ ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT - the construction and operation of the multiple wellsites, Gas Processing Facility and pipelines will have damaging effects in terms of ecology, pollution, traffic and visual impact.

§ NOISE – national & local guidelines for noise limits will be exceeded near to  Albury Park

§ INCREMENTAL DAMAGE  - a second, much larger Phase 2 storage facility is also planned: approval for Phase 1 sets a precedent for further industrialisation  of the AONB in Phase 2, including an unspecified number of additional wells.

§ PROCEDURAL ISSUES – the 1965 Gas Act has never before been used to authorise a gas storage facility and Government policy and planning guidelines have not yet been finalised.

Any objections/representations regarding this Preliminary Submission
should be made in writing by 31st August 2007 to:

The Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
c/o Mr Rob Pridham
Manager, Onshore Power Consents
Energy Development Unit
V 2121
1 Victoria Street
London SW1H 0ET

For headed template see Lodge Your Objection

Representations can also be submitted by email to Robert.Pridham@berr.gsi.gov.uk but please include your normal postal address.

 

SUMMARY OF STAR ENERGY'S CURRENT 3 PHASE PLANS

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 "Albury 1" horizon that has already been depleted during the 20 year appraisal.

2. GAS STORAGE OF ALBURY 1
   Star Energy now plans to site gas processing 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 over 36 weeks from an 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 the Albury 2 horizon for gas storage, hence increasing storage capacity by up to 500%.  This would require the drilling of an unspecified number of additional wells in the AONB.
    

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 by SCC.  However, Star Energy has confirmed to the Community Liaison Panel that they will resubmit plans this summer to drill 2 new appraisal wells at Albury Park. (to date an application of appraisal of Albury 2 has not been resubmitted). 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 have now submitted plans for gas storage of the depleted horizon Albury 1.  (see top section of this update). This application has been made directly to the DTI, using the 1965 Gas Act to "fast-track" and 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 drilled over a 24 hour 36 week period 2. pipeline from Albury Park to Furze Copse Gas Processing Facility. It would start within the park and then cross New Road to the west, go under the Tillingbourne and follow the Sherbourne before going under the A248, then under the A25, then north and to the east of Sherbourne Farm, climbing over the North Downs escarpment close to the Silent Pool footpath.  The pipeline would be 32” diameter and capable of taking Phases 1 & 2. It requires a 26m construction width, 5mile long. 1m min depth with 6mth construction and 6m restoration periods. 3. Pipe storage area (temporary) south of main road at East Clandon. 4. Furze Copse Gas Processing Facility 800m east of perimeter of Send prison. 10 acre site area with plant occupying 3acres. 5. A further pipeline connection would then run north from the Gas Processing Facility to the Ripley gas grid 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 is through 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 to the North West of Westerham. 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 day and night 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.