London, 29 August 2023
The Environment Agency has issued a permit variation to Rathlin Energy (UK) Limited to drill additional oil and gas wells and carry out commercial production at West Newton A well site in East Riding of Yorkshire.
The latest consultation on the draft permit in June follows an initial consultation on the application which took place in December 2021. After reviewing all the information submitted in the application and considering all comments from the public and evidence, the Environment Agency has granted a variation to the environmental permit.
Kathryn Richardson, Area Environment Manager at the Environment Agency, said:
The Environment Agency is satisfied that the appropriate measures are in place for oil and gas extraction without causing harm to the environment or human health and, after exploring the issues and concerns that have been raised, it cannot find any reason to refuse the application.
Before we finalised our decision, we reviewed and considered all comments received. The views of the local community on this site are hugely important, and we thank everyone for their contributions through the consultation.
In assessing this permit variation, we have completed a detailed and rigorous assessment of Rathlin Energy’s application to ensure the operating techniques and control measures at the proposed facility comply with the legal requirements of the Environmental Permitting Regulations – which are in place to protect people and the environment.
Rathlin Energy (UK) Limited has operated its exploratory oil and gas drill site at West Newton A in East Riding of Yorkshire since 2013 under the conditions of an environmental permit. It wanted to vary that permit to allow for the creation of six additional wells and sidetracks, the relocation of oil storage facilities and the installation of gas engines that will produce electricity for export to the National Grid.
Rathlin Energy (UK) Limited has already secured planning approval for the proposed activity. It is required to have both planning and environmental permitting approved before operations can commence.
Mining and extractive industries must have an environmental permit to operate. Issued by the Environment Agency, environmental permits detail the conditions that an operator is required to meet to ensure its activities minimise the risk of harm to people and the environment.
The decision on the permit, along with other previously available documents, are now available online: HU11 5DA, Rathlin Energy – West Newton ‘A’ well site information page – Environment Agency – Citizen Space (environment-agency.gov.uk)