Permit sought for Isle of Wight oil and gas exploration

United Kingdom Oil and Gas plc (UKOG) has applied for an Environmental Permit to explore a proposed new well site in Arreton, Isle of Wight.

• If granted, the permit would allow UKOG to operate at the proposed site for a period of 3 years and to drill an exploratory borehole and one side-track borehole.
• The works would involve the installation of plant and equipment, well drilling using a drilling rig and well testing.
• Natural gas produced during the well testing would be incinerated in a temporary on-site flare. Oil, water and surface water produced would be collected and removed from site for further use, treatment or disposal.

UKOG is the holder of a number of Environmental Permits issued by the Environment Agency in accordance with the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016.

The public consultation on the new permit is now open and runs from Friday 11 June 2021 until midnight on Friday 9 July 2021.

An Environment Agency spokesperson said:

Public consultation lets people and organisations take part in our decision making. We welcome specifically, comments on environmental and health issues and where people have particular local knowledge.

We take all relevant comments into account when making our decisions using information on the potential environmental and human health impacts of the proposed activity. Our officers have the specialist knowledge required to assess this application.

An Environmental Permit sets out stringent conditions that all oil and gas sites must adhere to. The Environment Agency will not issue an Environmental Permit for a site if it is considered that activities taking place will cause significant environmental pollution or harm to human health.

See further information on the permit application and details on how to take part in the consultation

For further information, please email pscpublicresponse@environment-agency.gov.uk

If you are unable to access the application online please call our national contact centre on 03708 506 506, who will be able to help you between 9am and 6pm Monday to Friday.

For further information on how we determine applications, the timescales involved and how we regulate onshore oil and gas, please visit our Onshore oil and gas regulation page and our Onshore oil and gas sector guidance page

Public consultations See further information on when and how the Environment Agency consults on permit applications and standard rules for environmental permits