Oh joy29 Oct 2018 14:05
Fracking halted again in Lancashire after 1.1 magnitude earth tremor detected
Fracking has once again been stopped at Cuadrilla's gas exploration site in Lancashire after another earth tremor was detected.
It marks the third time operations have been paused at the Preston New Road site since drilling began there two weeks ago.
At 1.1 magnitude, it marks the biggest tremor to take place there since fracking restarted.
In a statement the company said: "Cuadrilla can confirm that a micro seismic event measuring 1.1ML (local magnitude) was detected at about 11.30am today (Monday, October 29) whilst the team were hydraulically fracturing at our exploration site in Preston New Road, Little Plumpton, Lancashire."
"This will be classed as a 'red' event as part of the traffic light system operated by the Oil and Gas Authority, but as we have said many times, this level is way below anything that can be felt at surface and a very long way from anything that would cause damage or harm."
The first halt on fracking at the site came just over a week after operations had begun there after a legal challenge by environmental campaigners failed to block the drilling.
Cuadrilla chose to pause as a precaution as the first tremor measured just 0.4, making it an "amber" event.
However, procedures were suspended again on Friday after a 0.8 event struck, which was then followed by another tremor of similar magnitude within 24 hours.
Any tremor measuring 0.5 or above means fracking must legally be put on hold while tests are carried out.
"In line with regulations, hydraulic fracturing has paused for 18 hours now, during which seismicity will continue to be closely monitored by ourselves and the relevant regulators," said the Cuadrilla spokesperson.
"Well integrity has been checked and verified."
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