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Written question asked by Lee Rowley (Conservative) on Thursday, 28 February 2019, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 4 March 2019. It was answered by Claire O'Neill (Conservative) on Thursday, 7 March 2019 on behalf of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

Fracking: Regulation

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, for what reasons shale gas regulators do not conduct independent well integrity reports for hydraulic fracturing operations.

Answer

The Infrastructure Act 2015 makes it clear that hydraulic fracturing activities cannot take place unless an independent inspection of the well has been carried out by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). My rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State will not issue a Hydraulic Fracturing Consent unless he is satisfied this has happened. Specifically, the Secretary of State will require a certificate from the HSE confirming that an inspection of the well site has been carried out by its inspectors.

To this end, every shale well site will receive an on-site inspection by the HSE as well as the Environment Agency in the exploration stage. Through notifications and weekly reports made by the well operator, the HSE also inspects well design and monitors progress to ensure the operator manages risks effectively throughout the life cycle of the well. The HSE’s inspection of these notifications and weekly reports, which occurs before and during construction, is carried out by specialist wells inspectors. Any significant changes to well construction are subject to the same scrutiny.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
227154
Session
2017-19
Subjects
Regulation Fracking
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk