Portsmouth Water has raised concerns over the potential risk for water contamination following submission of a planning application for oil production in Markwell’s Wood, West Sussex.
The move follows a planning application submitted to the South Downs National Park Authority last week for the appraisal and production of oil incorporating the drilling of one sidetrack well from the existing well (for appraisal), three new hydrocarbon wells and one water injection well, and to allow the production of hydrocarbons from all four wells for a 20 year period.’ The application by the developer UK Oil and Gas plc (UKOG) is not related to hydraulic fracturing (also known as fracking).
The water company said it is now working with the Developer and the Environment Agency to address concerns regarding the Markwell’s Wood planning application.
Rod Porteous, Engineering Director at Portsmouth Water commented:
“From our review of the initial planning application, we have raised to the South Downs National Park Authority concerns over the potential risk to water contamination. These include issues such as a fuller evaluation of the risks to drinking water supplies. As a result we are working closely with the developer UKOG, their expert consultants, and the Environment Agency to try and resolve these issues. The provision of safe and high quality water is a cornerstone of public health and is our primary duty.”
“We arranged a meeting, which was held on 16th November 2016, involving both the developer and the Environment Agency to discuss these concerns. UKOG and their consultants are now fully aware of our concerns.”
UKOG will now need to produce a revised hydrogeological risk assessment which will assess the potential risks presented by the proposed development, the sensitivity of the chalk aquifer and surrounding environment, and the likelihood of the risks being realised.
Portsmouth Water said it will review this on completion and provide further feedback to the South Downs National Park Authority. Members of the public will also have opportunity to review and comment on the assessment. The water company is continuing to work with UKOG, their consultants and the Environment Agency to address concerns raised to the South Downs National Park Authority regarding the Markwell’s Wood planning application.
UKOG is listed and trade on London’s Alternative Investment Market (AIM) and ISDX Growth Market and have a portfolio of direct and indirect investments in 11 UK onshore exploration, appraisal, development and production assets. The assets cover 650 sq km in the Weald and Purbeck-Wight basins of Southern England. The developer is already generating investment cash from its interests in four producing oil fields in the region: Horndean, Avington, Brockham and Lidsey.
UKOG is keen to grow its core business in the Weald by developing the Markwells Wood oil discovery, appraising the Horse Hill Portland and Baxter’s Copse oil discoveries and also via new exploration and acquisitions in the Weald and Isle of Wight.
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