Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the Petroleum Exploration and Development Licence 300, what the rationale was for the provision to enable an operator to drill to a depth of 4,500 metres.

The Oil and Gas Authority (OGA), in its role as independent regulator for oil and gas, is responsible for issuing Petroleum Exploration and Development Licences (PEDLs).

The drilling depth specified in the licence for PEDL 300, issued in September 2016, was stated by INEOS as part of their licence application, and sought to target prospective geological formations which, at that time, were thought to lie at that depth. Various other consents and permissions (such as planning permission, environmental permits, drilling consent, etc) are required before any drilling operations can take place.

In line with the above, INEOS’ application for planning permission at Bramleymoor Lane, Derbyshire, allows for a well to be drilled to an approximate depth of 2,400m, at which INEOS believe the target geological formations are now thought to lie.

The OGA has not at this stage received an application from INEOS for consent to drill the well. At the time of such an application, and subject to other necessary permits, the licensee can seek agreement to reduce the original commitment depth after explaining their geotechnical rationale.