Egdon’s plan, to set up a rig to explore for gas near the village of Foxholes, is expected to go before council planners later in the autumn.
The firm, in its submissions to North Yorkshire Council, has stressed that the application, at a well site known as Weaverthorpe, is not fracking, or the controversial “proppant squeeze” process likened to small-scale fracking.
“For absolute clarity, Egdon will not use the process known as High Volume Hydraulic Fracturing (commonly referred to as ‘fracking’) or a proppant squeeze as part of the planned operations,” the firm wrote in its planning statement.
Egdon’s managing director, Mark Abbott, said Egdon’s plans are “nothing new,” as there is a “long history” of oil and gas wells being drilled through chalk principal aquifers.
“They have drilled successfully and without environmental incident or issue. The techniques are highly regulated, the Environment Agency, the local water boards and the Health and Safety Executive all review our plans before we get to put a drill bit in the ground.” Abbott said.