Written question asked by Jim Cunningham (Labour) on Monday, 9 November 2015, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 16 November 2015 (named day). It was answered by Andrea Leadsom (Conservative) on Monday, 16 November 2015 on behalf of the Department of Energy and Climate Change.

Fracking

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, pursuant to the Answer of 6 November 2015 to Question 13387, what information her Department holds on the number of sites approved for fracking in England and Wales; what the location is of each such site; and if she will make a statement.

Answer

There are currently no sites approved for fracking in England and Wales. Any operator would need a Petroleum Exploration and Development Licence (PEDL) in place before commencing hydrocarbon operations. A PEDL does not, in and of itself, allow an operator to commence hydrocarbon operations. Rather, they grant exclusivity to licensees within a defined area. All operations would also require local planning permission,Environment Agency permits, Health and Safety Executive scrutiny, Oil and Gas Authority consent and access agreement(s) with relevant landowner(s).

The Infrastructure Act 2015 introduced a range of further requirements that must be met before an operator can carry out hydraulic fracturing in a responsible, sustainable and safe manner. A hydraulic fracturing consent will not be issued unless my rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State is satisfied that the conditions are met. The Secretary of State must also be satisfied that it is appropriate to issue the consent.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 15604
Session: 2015-16
Related items: Fracking
Friday, 6 November 2015
Written questions
House of Commons; Fracking: Licensing
Monday, 23 November 2015
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Fracking
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk

Fracking

Secondary information

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