Consultation on oil and gas permit change extended

The Environment Agency said it was important for people to have the opportunity to view and comment on the permit variation

A consultation into the Environment Agency's draft decision to grant a permit variation for Rathlin Energy (UK) at its East Yorkshire site has been extended following feedback.

The firm, which has operated at West Newton since 2013, has an environmental permit for drilling wells and long-term oil and gas production, but has applied to vary the permit at its A well site.

The consultation, which opened on 29 July, was originally planned to close on 9 September.

But in response to representations from residents, the Environment Agency (EA) said it had been extended until 6 October.

Rathlin Energy wants to vary the permit at the site to carry out "reservoir stimulation" - a process used by the oil and gas industry, which is designed to improve the efficiency of the flow of oil or gas through the reservoir rock and into the well, according to the agency.

Kathryn Richardson, EA's Yorkshire area environment manager, said: "It's important to us that people have the opportunity to view the consultation documents and provide a response, so we have extended the consultation period.

"I'd encourage interested parties to send us their comments and we will make our final decision once we have reviewed the responses."

People can send their responses directly via the consultation website, or by phone on 03708 506506.

The Environment Agency may only refuse a permit application if it does not meet one or more of the legal requirements under environmental legislation, which includes an unacceptable impact on the environment or harm to human health.

If all the requirements are met, it is legally obliged to issue a permit.

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