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Friends of the Earth set to object to new oil drilling in South Downs National Park

news release

An application to drill for oil in the beautiful South Downs National Park
for 20 years has been criticised by Friends of the Earth.

United Kingdom Oil and Gas Investments PLC (UKOG) has applied to the South
Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) for 20 years of oil extraction at
Markwells Wood, Forestside near Rowlands Castle.
Although UKOG state the well will not be fracked they have asked for
permission to drill horizontal wells, stimulation of the wells by
acidisation, and to drill a well to reinject waste water.  Friends of the
Earth is concerned that horizontal wells require extraction techniques that
can have risks for the environment due to the processes, chemicals and
pressure used.

Brenda Pollack, Friends of the Earth South East Regional Campaigner said:

“We believe that oil drilling should simply not be allowed in one of our
most precious landscapes.”

“The processes they want to carry out have risks for our environment. We
have serious concerns about the techniques needed to get the oil out of
horizontal wells and reinjecting the waste water back underground is
worrying.”

“Our national parks should be protected for people to enjoy not subject to
two decades worth of drilling.”

Michael Harbour, local, long standing resident, said:

“I regularly cycle on the South Downs and really don’t want to see this
kind of industrial blot on the landscape for the next 20 years. This is a
tranquil beautiful area that should not be opened up for an oil bonanza.”

For press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust

 

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