InfraStrata responds to Woodburn drill concerns

InfraStrata made the comments in response to fears over the potential for water contamination at the site, where drilling for an oil and gas exploration well is due to commence later this year.

Environmental groups opposed to the drill project claimed the Department of the Environment was not fully apprised of the chemicals involved in the operation before permitted development rights were granted.

However, a spokesperson for the energy storage firm said: “The chemicals that will be used in the process of drilling the Woodburn Forest well are standard industry products that are used in all forms of deep drilling including geothermal, water, salt and coal exploration wells and are not specific to oil and gas drilling.

“The use of chemicals in oil and gas exploration wells in Northern Ireland is regulated by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA).”

“In accordance with the regulation, InfraStrata submitted a Water Order Consent application to NIEA which detailed the chemicals proposed for use in the Woodburn Forest well and, following statutory and public consultations, NIEA granted the project a Water Order Consent in February 2015.

“InfraStrata plans to commence drilling operations at Woodburn Forest this coming winter.”