Fracking tests earmarked for 2013

Rodney Edwards • Published 1 Feb 2012 00:01 2 Comments

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A major report into fracking in Fermanagh has just been published stating that test drilling for shale gas could be carried out in south west Fermanagh as early as next year after energy company Tamboran Resources found "substantial" natural gas field present in the county.

The company says initial studies show there is the potential for the production of up to 2.2 trillion cubic feet of shale gas in the county which they say could provide 600 full time jobs, up to 2,400 indirect jobs and deliver natural gas energy security for the next 50 years

And they are confident they can "commercially develop" the project in Northern Ireland, pledging to invest six billion pounds into hydraulic fracturing or "fracking".

The report also states that fracking here would supply natural gas security in Northern Ireland for at least 20 years and result in a substantial reduction in imports for over 30 years leading to removal of the province's dependency on imported gas.

And with excess gas supply at peak production, this will enable Northern Ireland to become a "significant net exporter" of natural gas, according to the company.

Other points made in the report include the possibility of tax revenues of up to £6.9 billion (including royalties, corporation tax, Vat, employment taxes and exploration tax); and the creation of a community investment fund directed entirely within Fermanagh, estimated to lead to additional local benefits in excess of £2 million per year once the project reaches expected commerciality in 2015.

Indeed, a number of jobs could be created by the end of this year as the company want to start training local people up ahead of potentially testing in 2013.

Speaking to The Impartial Reporter this week, Dr. Tony Bazley from Tamboran said before any test drilling could commence the company would need to get planning permission first.

He also hit back at criticism from anti-fracking groups and described a recent motion by Fermanagh District Council opposing the fracking process as "surprising".

Read the full report into fracking in Fermanagh and the interview with Dr. Bazley in tomorrow's Impartial Reporter.

QUESTION: Are you for fracking or against it? Join the discussion on our Twitter page at www.twitter.com/impartialrep now.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 31 Jan 12

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

Enniskillen
4 posts
Feb 5, 13:50
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Dr Bazley makes some valid points in his report however the case for economic producible gas in Fermanagh still has to be made. Please bear in mind that many well resources companies came to this part of the world with high hopes of commercial discoveries. They all left having spent millions of Pounds exploring and had nothing to show for it.

Tamboran or any Company that comes to explore do so at a high RISK. That is they risk every pound they invest with little prospect of return. So when we have avid protestors talking about anti-fracking it proves that they are so hypes up by mis-information that it is really quite unbelieveable.

Has any of these protestors every actually been on a gas well where it was drilled or Fracked. The people leading this protect object to everything always. Well the records in this areas show that drilling and fracking already took place, carefully and with no negative impact. How many at the anti-fracking rallies know or bother to be informed about this. Exploration is a risky business but one that is done under strict protocols for Health and Safety. This has been carried out safely and successfully in many many parts of the world who benefit from commercial natural resources production.

An investment company coming to any country has a choice, to spend hard earned cash TRYING to see if there are possibilities.

I would suggest that the protestors get properly informed. Much drilling has taken place in Cavan / Fermanagh / Leitrim and lots of other counties and there were NO provable, producible reserves for Natural Gas. Gas has to be found first, this takes huge investment in science and drilling. That is a bit like a needle in a haystack, then and only then under strict conditions can fracking tack place but only if and when drills show that gas could exist commercially.

Also please consider each time you use gas to cook, or fuel for you vehicle where has it come from? In many cases it is Russia and tens of thousands of miles. That cost is born by us the purchasers. What is that doing to the carbon footprint? Moving all those resources when they MIGHT be in Fermanagh.

For those who think that there is enough economic prosperity in Ireland North or South - great. However many are facing financial ruin with the current economic downturn. Much needed investment and hope is needed in Ireland North and South.

Arlene Foster has made a sound economic decision for N Ireland. She along with other responsible politicians will ensure that proper scrutiny is applied to work of any exploration company.

I am happy to go on the record and say welcome Tamboran to Fermanagh. Please invest your money here and make a better future for all those living here. Please continue to try and find natural resources that might help our deprived and neglected region. We need jobs and prosperity and I welcome this.

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MajellaMcCarron
23 posts
Feb 10, 15:36
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The person who wrote this comment says he/she is 'happy to go on the record and say welcome Tamboran to Fermanagh'. In order to go on the record you will need to say who you are but you haven't told us your name. You could be Richard Moorma or Tony Bazely or a DETI/GSNI employee for all we know. Your comment lacks all credibility.

Majella Mc Carron - happy to go on the record.

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