Horizontal drilling comes to the UK, but fracking must wait
Pioneering driller Cuadrilla is optimistic over shale gas well prospects
Cuadrilla Resources says it has moved closer towards launching the UK's first major fracking project by drilling the country's first ever horizontal shale gas well at its Preston New Road site in Lancashire, north-west England. The company hasn't been cleared to carry out hydraulic fracturing, which has been halted in the UK since earth tremors were recorded during tests at another Cuadrilla site in 2011. However, the company is optimistic that it will be cleared to frack in the near future, both in this well and another it plans to drill now. The company, which says it has permission to drill four wells in all on the site, has drilled its first horizontal well through the Lower Bowland sh
Also in this section
12 December 2025
The latest edition of our annual Outlook publication, titled 'The shape of energy to come: Creating unique pathways and managing shifting alliances', is available now
12 December 2025
The federal government is working with Alberta to improve the country’s access to Asian markets and reduce dependence on the US, but there are challenges to their plans
11 December 2025
The removal of the ban on oil and gas exploration and an overhaul of the system sends all the right messages for energy security, affordability and sustainability
10 December 2025
The economic and environmental cost of the seven-year exploration ban will be felt long after its removal
