Environment Agency
The latest consultation follows an initial consultation on the application which took place in December 2021. After reviewing all the information submitted in the application and considering all comments from the public and evidence, the Environment Agency is minded to grant a variation to the environmental permit to Rathlin?Energy (UK) Limited to?drill additional oil and gas wells and carry out commercial production at West Newton A well site.
Minded to means the Environment Agency is satisfied that the appropriate measures are in place for oil and gas extraction without causing harm to the environment or human health and, after exploring the issues and concerns that have been raised, it cannot find any reason to refuse the application.
Rathlin?Energy (UK) Limited has operated its exploratory oil and gas drill site at West Newton A in East Riding of Yorkshire since 2013 under the?conditions of an environmental permit. It is seeking to vary that permit to allow for the creation of six additional wells and sidetracks, the relocation of?oil storage?facilities?and the installation of gas engines that?will produce?electricity for export to the National Grid.
Rathlin?Energy (UK) Limited has already secured planning approval for the proposed activity. It is required to?have?both?planning and environmental permitting approved before operations can commence.
Mining and extractive industries must have an environmental permit to operate.?Issued?by the Environment Agency,?environmental permits detail the?conditions that?an?operator is required to meet to ensure its activities minimise the risk of harm to people and the environment.
Kathryn Richardson, Area Environment Manager at the Environment Agency, said:
The views of the local community on this site are hugely important, which is why we are once again running a consultation now we are at draft decision stage.
In assessing this permit?variation, we have completed a detailed and rigorous assessment of?Rathlin?Energys application to ensure the operating techniques and control measures?at?the proposed facility comply with the legal requirements of the Environmental Permitting Regulations which are in place to protect people and the environment.
We welcome comments from the public and interested groups.
Two documents have been produced which can be commented on as part of the consultation: the draft decision document and the draft permit. The draft decision document explains the Environment Agencys thought process and how it has taken on board the comments received in the first consultation. The draft permit outlines the conditions the operator would have to meet.
The draft decision and draft permit, along with other previously available documents, are now available online: HU11 5DA Rathlin Energy (UK) Limited, EPR/BB3001FT/V005 environmental permit draft decision advertisement - Environment Agency - Citizen Space (environment-agency.gov.uk)
Paper copies can be obtained by contacting the Environment Agencys Customer Contact Centre on 03708 506 506. A charge may be made to cover copying costs.
The