Another year draws to a close.... and still no gas storage

​We’re coming to the end of another year. Nearly three and a half years since Halite got permission for underground gas storage in Preesall with the development consent order and around 16 years since the project was first mooted. 

Halite (now owned by Cheshire Energy/ NPL) have been busy submitting plans and documentation to Wyre Council to be signed off so works can begin with the access road in the Spring. The brine outfall pipe and discharge monitoring remain a major concern for all parties, including Halite - albeit for different reasons. The noise limits set for drilling under the estuary are also a problem for Halite to overcome. If we get to the stage of building the brine outfall pipe then we only have to look at Anchorsholme to see how difficult that will be and the construction window is very short. Meanwhile unstable land around Preesall could potentially sink plans literally. 

As the land and consents for pipelines are presumably of value in themselves, time and money could be our best friends next year. How much are investors willing to spend on a project and how profitable will it be in the end? There is a reason so many gas storage projects with permission have not come to fruition. 

So, whilst we are not ending the year with a party, there is still many a slip twixt cup and lip. 

Cheers and best wishes for a hopefully gas storage free New Year, 

Claire 

Original version posted on facebook see No Gas Storage facebook page. 💚

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