Wednesday 21 May 2014

I REALLY wanted that job

I REALLY wanted that job

 
I`m not an environmentalist, eco-warrior, left winger or Green Party member.

I`m a very well informed and ordinary concerned citizen using knowledge and wisdom for the benefit of future generations.

I`m also an ex North Sea drill crew worker with several years experience in the industry.

I`m the page creator of N.E. Wales Anti-Fracking Action Network (NEWAFAN) based in Borras, Wrexham, North East Wales, where I`ve lived for the last 20 years.

I created the facebook page to not only let local residents know about the new planning application that was lodged on the 20`Th September with WCBC by GP Energy who propose to drill an exploration well to test for gas content within the coal seams below the Borras Head area of Wrexham, but also to try and PROPERLY inform people about the impacts and implications that surround exploitation of unconventional gas resources should this planning and future applications be approved.

Sunday 18 May 2014

England's oldest Fracktivist!

May Merchant of Chester, England's oldest Fracktivist, celebrated her 92nd birthday last week and sends thanks to Frack Free Mickle Trafford for sponsoring her Birthday cake.

Also, thanks are extended to the very talented Gill Osborne of Scrummy Somethings, Chester, who baked and decorated the cake. Contact number 01244 303298


Thursday 15 May 2014

Euro Candidates Guide



European Parliamentary Election Candidates North West of England
 So...Where do they all stand on Unconventional Gas?






The European Parliamentary Elections

Thursday 22nd may 2014



The System:


  • The ‘North West’ constituency for the European Parliament consists of Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside.

  • We have 8 MEPs.

  • Constituents vote for a party rather than an individual.
  • Parties put their candidates in a ranked order. The party then receives seats according to their percentage of the overall vote with candidates getting seats in order of their ranked position.

Saturday 10 May 2014

'First they came' - attributed to pastor Martin Niemöller

'First they came' - attributed to pastor Martin Niemöller

"First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out-- Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out-- Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out-- Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me--and there was no one left to speak for me"


So, what are you waiting for?

UK Shale Gas World Conference Censored

UK Shale Gas World Conference Censored


Following a question set to Councillor Mike Jones on Dee 106.3, regarding the impartiality of CWaC Councillor Andrew Dawson, the YouTube video of Cllr Dawson addressing the UK Shale Gas World conference in 2013 has been removed from public view. 

During his presentation last year, Cllr Andrew Dawson, Frodsham’s councillor, told Francis Egan (Cuadrilla Resources) and Andrew Austin (iGas): “I hear you and I despair. We need you to be very good neighbours. We need you to go beyond bus shelters.” (read more here)

Wednesday 7 May 2014

Objection Guide to Coal Bed Methane drilling and exploration at Dutton’s Lane, Upton

Objection Guide to Coal Bed Methane drilling and exploration at Dutton’s Lane, Upton

BACKGROUND

  • Planning permission has already been granted for exploratory drilling but the application did not pass through any local consultation committees and was granted by ‘delegated powers’, ie - The CW&C Chief Planning Officer.
  • Prior to the permission being granted, no meetings were arranged between Dart Energy and the local residents to explain the immediate impacts of the drilling and the possible long term consequences.

Tuesday 6 May 2014

Dart Energy - The Road to Disaster

Dart Energy - The Road to Disaster


July 22, 2010 - Australia’s newest coal seam gas listing Dart Energy makes its market debut today, but analysts are fearful that the new company may struggle to retain support in its early days.

February 28, 2011 - Dart Energy will acquire the 90 per cent of Composite Energy it does not already own for $US46.7 million via the issue of 35.9 million shares.

April 19, 2011 - Global coal seam gas play Dart Energy is borrowing from shareholders for $100 million in a bigger-than-expected equity raising to tide it through until it can declare commercial reserves and start up early production.

November 30, 2011 - Coal seam gas explorer Dart Energy has narrowly avoided incurring a “strike” over executive pay after major shareholders objected to options for directors.

December 23, 2011 - Dart Energy has restructured its UK and Chinese interests, boosting control over assets but meaning it will also wear more of the financial burden of development.

December 28, 2011 - Junior gas explorer Dart Energy has agreed to acquire all of the unconventional gas assets of UK-based coal bed methane explorer Greenpark Energy for $42 million.

Friday 2 May 2014

CWaC meeting 31st April 2014

CWaC meeting 31st April 2014


At last evening’s CWaC meeting we asked the executive the following question relating to unconventional gas exploration –
Will the proposed cross party working group discussion be open to the public and lead to a full and open public consultation before a strategy is agreed and that in the meantime all planning and other approvals relating to such developments relating to unconventional gas exploration and extraction are put on hold and the current draft local plan be amended to accommodate this exercise?

Thursday 1 May 2014

What is Underground Coal Gasification (UCG)?

What is Underground Coal Gasification (UCG)?


Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) is a process for exploiting coal that cannot be mined because the seams are too deep, thin or fractured.

The process involves using the same sort of drilling technology usually used for fracking to get air/oxygen into the coal seam and then set the seam on fire. By controlling the amount of oxygen injected it is then possible to only partially burn the coal and bring the gases produced to the surface where they can be burned to produce energy.

A witches brew of toxic and carcinogenic coal tars are produced in the burn cavity.

What is Shale Gas?

What is Shale Gas?

Shale Gas is methane (natural gas) which is trapped in impermeable shale rock deep underground, unlike conventional natural gas which is in permeable rocks, such as sandstone.

The gas cannot flow through the shale, so simply drilling a well, as you would for conventional natural gas, is not enough.

The shale rock must be cracked to free the gas, hence the need for hydraulic fracturing (fracking). For the same reason it is necessary to drill large numbers of wells at regular intervals. To produce as much gas as a conventional gas field with a dozen or so wells, would require hundreds or thousands of shale gas wells.

Because of the much more intense nature of the shale gas extraction process it is associated with much more negative impacts than conventional drilling.

What is Coal Bed Methane (CBM)?


What is Coal Bed Methane (CBM)?


Coal Bed Methane is methane (natural gas) trapped in coal seams underground. To extract the gas, after drilling into the seam, it is necessary to pump large amounts of water out of the coal seam to lower the pressure.

It is often also necessary to frack the seam to extract the gas.

There are a similar catalogue of negative environmental and social effects as with Shale Gas. This includes methane migration, toxic water contamination, air pollution, increased carbon emissions and a general industrialisation of the countryside.

Impacts that are specific to CBM include depletion of the water table and potentially subsidence.