Island Gas Ltd

ISLAND GAS LTD.

PERIODIC REVIEW OF MINING SITES

SECTION 96 OF SCHEDULE 14 TO THE ENVIRONMENT ACT 1995

EGMANTON OILFIELD, COMPRISING OF: EGMANTON GATHERING CENTRE, WELLSITES 1, 3, 5, 7, 14, 27, 32, 35, 44, 52 AND 64 AT LAND BETWEEN EGMANTON AND WESTON, NOTTINGHAMSHIRE.

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

July 2012

 2012 Island Gas Ltd..

PERIODIC REVIEW OF MINING SITES

SECTION 96 OF SCHEDULE 14 TO THE ENVIRONMENT ACT 1995

EGMANTON OILFIELD, COMPRISING OF: EGMANTON GATHERING CENTRE, WELLSITES 1, 3, 5, 7, 14, 27, 32, 35, 44, 52 AND 64 AT LAND BETWEEN EGMANTON AND WESTON, NOTTINGHAMSHIRE.

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

July 2012

Author Mr. M Jervis Estates Manager, Island Gas Ltd.

Report Status Final

Date of Issue 5th July 2012

DISTRIBUTION Date Issued To: Name No. 5/07/2012 Nottinghamshire County Council 1 5/07/2012 Island Gas Ltd. Mr. M. Jervis 1

CONTENTS Page

1. INTRODUCTION 1.1. Background 1 1.2. The Applicant 2 1.3. Location and Description 2 1.4. Geology and Hydrology 3

2. SITE DETAILS 2.1. Egmanton Gathering Centre 4 2.2. Wellsite 1 4 2.3. Wellsite 7 5 2.4. Wellsite 35 5 2.5. Wellsite 52 6 2.6. Wellsite 64 6 2.7. Wellsite 5 7 2.8. Wellsite 27 7 2.9. Wellsite 14 8 2.10. Wellsite 44 8 2.11. Wellsite 3 9 2.12. Wellsite 32 9

3. OPERATIONS DESCRIPTION 3.1. General 10 3.2. Oil Production 10 3.3. Production Rates and Lifetime 11 3.4. Security and Site Monitoring 11 3.5. Surface Water and Waste Disposal 12 3.6. Site Maintenance 12 3.7. Environmental Permitting 12

4. RESTORATION AND AFTERCARE 4.1. Restoration 13 4.2. Aftercare 13

5. TRANSPORT 5.1. General 14 5.2. Access 14 5.3. Vehicle Movements 14

6. NOISE 6.1. General 15 6.2. Potential Noise Impacts 15

Egmanton Oilfield July 2012

7. LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL IMPACT 7.1. Landscape Character 16 7.2. Visual Impact 16

8. OTHER POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS 8.1. Flood Risk 19 8.2. Contamination and Groundwater Protection 19 8.3. Dust 19 8.4. Ecology 20 8.5. Statutorily Designated Sites 20 8.6. Public Rights of Way 20 8.7. Archaeology and Cultural Heritage 20

9. CUMMULATIVE IMPACT 21

10. PLANNING POLICY 10.2. Policy Framework 22 10.3. Minerals Local Plan 22 10.4. Nottinghamshire Emerging Policy 23 10.5. Newark and Sherwood Local Plan 24

APPENDICES 1. Plans 2. Gathering Centre – Plans and Photographs 3. Wellsite 1 – Plans and Photographs 4. Wellsite 7 – Plans and Photographs 5. Wellsite 35 – Plans and Photographs 6. Wellsite 52 – Plans and Photographs 7. Wellsite 64 – Plans and Photographs 8. Wellsite 5 – Plans and Photographs 9. Wellsite 27 – Plans and Photographs 10. Wellsite 14 – Plans and Photographs 11. Wellsite 44 – Plans and Photographs 12. Wellsite 3 – Plans and Photographs 13. Wellsite 32 – Plans and Photographs 14. Noise Impact Assessment 15. Flood Risk Assessment 16. Proposed Conditions

Egmanton Oilfield July 2012

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. Background The Egmanton oilfield is situated between the villages of Weston and Egmanton, some 4km south-southeast of Tuxford in Nottinghamshire. The field comprises of eleven wellsites and a Gathering Centre, which are linked by underground pipelines. Oil is currently produced from three wellsites, with other sites being used for reservoir monitoring and management.

The field was discovered in the 1950s and lies in a gentle west-northwest to east- southeast trending anticline cut by several faults parallel to the fold axis. It exploits several sandstone horizons in the Lower Coal Measures and Millstone Grit, with the main producer being the Westphalian Crawshaw Sandstone. Numerous wells were initially drilled by BP and were connected to Egmanton Gathering Centre (EGC) by underground pipelines.

At its peak the Egmanton field produced some 760 bbls of oil per day and, in total, has produced over 3,300,000 bbls. Initially produced oil was conveyed from individual wellsites by pipeline to EGC, where it underwent primary processing and stabilisation prior to export. An export pipeline from EGC originally sent oil to Tuxford rail sidings for onward transport to the refinery.

Production has now declined to less than 1% of the early production and these reduced volumes no longer require the use of the Gathering Centre. The unprocessed oil is now collected directly from the producing sites by road tanker.

Planning permission for the Oilfield was originally granted in the 1950s and was subject to relatively few conditions. By the late 1980s the requirement for more effective control of the environmental impacts relating to old mining permissions was recognised and this resulted in several pieces of legislation designed to protect amenity and the environment, and to ensure equal treatment of different sites and mineral operators.

The first of these, the Planning and Compensation Act 1991, brought the oldest, Interim Development Order, mineral consents into a modern system of review and control. Subsequently similar controls were extended, by way of the Environment Act 1995, to cover mineral permissions granted in the 1950s, 60s and 70s. This latter Act is applicable to the permission covering the Egmanton field.

Egmanton Oilfield July 2012

An integral element of the new controls was the requirement that all older consents should be subject to an Initial Review followed by Periodic Reviews every 15 years thereafter. The initial review of the Egmanton field was undertaken in 1997 and the field currently operates under conditions determined during this review as set out in permission 3/97/0519.

During May 2011 the field operator was served with notice that this permission had fallen due for its Periodic Review. As the development falls within Schedule 2 of the Town and County Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2011, a request for a Screening Opinion was submitted to Nottinghamshire County Council (NCC), as the appropriate Mineral Planning Authority (MPA) in December 2011.

The resulting Screening Opinion confirmed that ‘the Council does not consider the development is likely to result in significant environmental impacts and therefore the application will not need to be accompanied by an Environmental Impact Assessment’ .

Accordingly, a schedule of updated conditions, based on information contained within this Supporting Statement, has been proposed and is reproduced at Appendix 16.

1.2. The Applicant Island Gas Limited is part of the IGas Energy Group, an integrated energy company that produces oil, gas and electricity from a number of onshore oilfields in the United Kingdom. Its principal operations are focused on oil and gas fields in the northwest of England, North Wales, Hampshire, Surrey, West Sussex, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire.

The company employs some 80 staff in the East Midlands Area and spends in excess of £1m annually on taking services from local companies to support its operations.

In the East Midlands the company has recently taken five apprentices for long term training, and it is envisaged that these apprentices will replace staff due for retirement in the near future. The formal apprenticeships are completed in association with Lincoln College where part time study is completed.

1.3. Location and Description The wellsites are located in a broadly northwest-southeast trending area to the south and west of Weston, which is located 4km southeast of Tuxford and 15km north of Newark on Trent. Nine of the sites lie between the A1 and the B1164 Great North Road, with only two wellsites and the Gathering Centre lying to the southwest of the A1. Sites 3, 14 and 32 are currently producing oil with the remaining sites being used for reservoir monitoring.

Egmanton Oilfield July 2012

The area surrounding the wellsites is predominantly agricultural, with the bulk of residential properties being situated in the village of Weston. A number of farm complexes are scattered throughout the local area and several industrial land uses are located to the south of Weston. Transport links are dominated by the A1, the B6114 and the East Coast Mainline railway, all of which run northwest-southeast through the area.

For further details of all the sites locations, see drawing numbers EGMO-01A and EGMO- 02A.

1.4. Geology and Hydrology British Geological Survey (BGS) mapping shows the greater part of the oilfield to be underlain by clays and mudstones of Mercia Mudstone Group, which are characterised by dominantly red mudstones which often become mottled red-grey in areas. Locally, thin bands of gypsum or anhydrite and fine grained white sandstones are occasionally encountered.

Limited outcrops of Quaternary alluvium are present in lower lying areas however no laterally extensive superficial deposits are recorded in the area.

The area covered by the oilfield is drained by a number of artificial ditches which feed into a number of unnamed watercourses which run generally northeastwards towards the B1164. These water courses drain into Goosemoor Dyke, which flows from west to east, eventually discharging into the River Trent.

Egmanton Oilfield July 2012

2. SITE DETAILS

2.1. Egmanton Gathering Centre The Gathering Centre is located at NGR SK 754 681, approximately 2 km to the west- northwest of Weston village centre and 300m to the southwest of the A1. The extent and layout of the site are shown on drawing numbers EGMC-11A and EGMC-12A respectively which, along with photographs of the site, are reproduced at Appendix 2.

The site is accessed via metalled roadway which runs eastwards from Moorhouse Lane. This roadway forks to the northwest of the site, with the southern fork affording access to wellsite 7, the Gathering Centre and Ladywood Farm. The northern fork allows access to wellsites 1, 35 and 52. These roadways are shared with local agricultural users, with the access to the public highway being secured by a gate which is locked when not in use.

The operational area of the site is enclosed by a chain link security fence and accessed via gates on the northern boundary of the site, whilst the western and southern boundaries are delineated by mature hedgerows.

In total the site extends to approximately 1.0ha. and lies at an elevation of 40m AOD. The nearest residential properties are Gypsey Lodge Farm 375m to the northwest and Ladywood Farm 450m to the southeast. Owing to a combination of Lady Wood and established boundary hedgerows, the site is not visible from any residential property or public right of way.

The quantities of oil now produced from the field no longer warrant the use of EGC and matters are being put in hand to decommission and restore the site. Owing to the increasing instances of metal theft, all plant, building and machinery have now been removed and a restoration scheme is currently being worked up in consultation with the landowner and NCC. Notwithstanding this, these operations will not be completed prior to the Periodic Review date and accordingly the site is included in this review.

2.2. Wellsite 1 Wellsite 1 is located at NGR SK 755 684, approximately 150m southwest of the A1 and 2 km to the northwest of Weston village centre. The site is roughly square in plan and extends to approximately 0.14ha. It lies close to the base of a shallow valley at an elevation of 34m AOD. The extent and layout of the site are shown on drawing numbers EGM1-06A and EGM1-07A respectively which, along with photographs of the site, are reproduced at Appendix 3.

Egmanton Oilfield July 2012

Aside from the well cellar and associated valves and pipe manifolds, no plant is currently present on site and the well head is secured by means of a metal cage. The boundary fencing has been removed, however some posts remain.

The nearest residential property, Gypsey Lodge Farm, lies 350m to the west-southwest and, owing to the local topography the site is not easily visible from any public right of way and is well screened from the A1 by established vegetation. Owing to the proximity of the A1, local background noise levels are generally high.

2.3. Wellsite 7 Wellsite 7 is located at NGR SK 754 681, to the west of EGC, within the northeastern corner of an arable field. The site is roughly square in plan, lying at 38m AOD and extending to 0.13ha. The extent and layout of the site are shown on drawing numbers EGM7-06A and EGM7-07A respectively which, along with photographs of the site, are reproduced at Appendix 4.

Aside from the well cellar and associated valves and pipe manifolds, no plant is currently present on site and the well head is secured by means of a metal cage. The boundary is delineated by a post and wire fence.

The nearest residential property, Gypsey Lodge Farm, lies 300m to the northwest. Owing to established boundary hedgerows the site is not visible from any residential properties or the public highway.

2.4. Wellsite 35 Wellsite 35 and 52 are located at between 20 and 25m AOD in a shallow east-west running valley, with each site being visible from the other. To the south the land rises to meet the A1, whilst to the north it rises towards Scarthingmoor Farm.

Wellsite 35 is located at NGR SK 759 684 north-northeast of Lady Wood, approximately 1.6 km to the northwest of Weston village centre. The extent and layout of the site are shown on drawing numbers EGM35-06A and EGM35-07A respectively which, along with photographs of the site, are reproduced at Appendix 5.

The closest residential properties, forming the Scarthingmoor Farm complex, lie between 100 and 200m to the north. The two wellsites are largely screened from the A1 by the intervening topography.

Egmanton Oilfield July 2012

Aside from the well cellar and associated manifolds and pipework, no plant is present on site. Owing to the proximity of the A1, background noise levels in the locality of the wellsite are relatively high.

2.5. Wellsite 52 Wellsite 52 is located at NGR SK 762 684, north-northeast of Lady Wood, approximately 1.4 km to the northwest of Weston village centre. The extent and layout of the site are shown on drawing numbers EGM52-07A and EGM52-08A respectively which, along with photographs of the site, are reproduced at Appendix 6.

The site extends to approximately 0.15ha. and is roughly square in plan. The boundaries are delineated by post and wire fencing and, with the exception of the well cellars and associated valves and pipe manifolds, no plant is currently present on site.

Owing to the proximity of the A1, background noise levels in the locality of the wellsite are relatively high.

2.6. Wellsite 64 Wellsite 64 is located at NGR SK 763 687, 50m to the southwest of the B1164 Great North Road and 1.3 km to the northwest of Weston village centre. The site extends to approximately 0.16ha. and lies at an elevation of 18m AOD. The extent and layout of the site are shown on drawing numbers EGM64-06A and EGM64-07A respectively which, along with photographs of the site, are reproduced at Appendix 7.

The site is accessed via a track leading southwest from the public highway which is shared by Scarthingmoor Farm. The nearest residential property, Goosemoor Hall lies approximately 75m to the northeast, but is separated from the site by the B1164.

The site is delineated by a post and wire fence, with a significant, established hedgerow forming the western boundary and effectively screening the site from the west. Both Scarthingmoor Farm and Goosemoor Hall have direct views onto the site.

Aside from the well cellar, associated manifolds and pipework and a small valve pit, no plant is present on site and the well head is secured by means of a metal cage.

Egmanton Oilfield July 2012

2.7. Wellsite 5 Wellsites 5 and 27 are accessed from Ladywood Lane, which runs southwest from its junction with the B1164 which is situated 750m to the northwest of Weston village centre.

Wellsite 5 is located at NGR SK 762 681, 150m northeast of the A1 and 1.2km to the southwest of Weston village centre. The site extends to approximately 0.13ha. and lies at an elevation of 30m AOD. The extent and layout of the site are shown on drawing numbers EGM5-06A and EGM5-07A respectively which, along with photographs of the site, are reproduced at Appendix 8.

The nearest residential property, Ladywood Farm, lies 300m to the southwest of the site, however the site is not visible from this property. Furthermore the site lies to the east of the A1 whereas Ladywood Farm lies to the west of the A1. Locally the landscape is dominated by electricity pylons, with the closest pylon lying to within 50m of the site.

There is distant intervisibility between wellsites 5, 14 and 27 however the combined impact of these sites is minimal and the landscape is dominated by the presence of electricity pylons and the A1.

The site is secured by a post and wire fence and, aside from the well cellar and associated manifolds and pipework, no plant is present on site and the well head is secured by means of a metal cage. Owing to the proximity of the A1, background noise levels in the vicinity of the site are generally high.

2.8. Wellsite 27 Wellsites 5 and 27 are accessed from Ladywood Lane, which runs southwest from its junction with the B1164 which is situated 750m to the northwest of Weston village centre.

Wellsite 27 is located at NGR SK 764 678, 125m northeast of the A1 and 1km to the southwest of Weston village centre. The site extends to approximately 0.13ha. and lies at an elevation of 18m AOD. The extent and layout of the site are shown on drawing numbers EGM27-06A and EGM27-07A respectively which, along with photographs of the site, are reproduced at Appendix 9.

The nearest residential property, Ladywood Farm, lies 550m to the southwest of the site, however the site is not visible from this property. Furthermore the site lies to the east of the A1 whereas Ladywood Farm lies to the west of the A1.

Egmanton Oilfield July 2012

There is distant intervisibility between wellsites 5, 14 and 27 however the combined impact of these sites is minimal and the landscape is dominated by the presence of electricity pylons, the A1 and, in the vicinity of wellsite 14, industrial units.

2.9. Wellsite 14 Wellsites 14 and 44 are accessed from Wadnal Lane, which runs southwest from its junction with the B1164.

Wellsite 14 is located at NGR SK 770 677, immediately adjacent to Wadnal Lane, 200m southwest of the B1164 and to the northwest of a significant agricultural grain store. The site extends to approximately 0.14ha. and lies at an elevation of 25m AOD. The extent and layout of the site are shown on drawing numbers EGM14-07A and EGM14-08A respectively which, along with photographs of the site, are reproduced at Appendix 10.

The site is secured by means of chain link fencing and plant includes a single nodding donkey and a bunded oil storage tank. A concrete tanker loading pad lies adjacent to the storage tank. The nearest residential property lies 150m to the northeast.

To the northwest of the site, agricultural land drops away and distant views are possible, however the topography and the nearby industrial units serve to limit views of the site from the south and east. Locally the landscape is dominated by the nearby industrial units, with the A1 and electricity pylons having a significant influence on the wider landscape.

2.10. Wellsite 44 Wellsite 44 is located at NGR SK 772 676, 175m south of the B1164 and 375m to the southwest of Weston village centre. The site extends to approximately 0.12ha. and lies at an elevation of 23m AOD. The extent and layout of the site are shown on drawing numbers EGM44-05A and EGM44-06A respectively which, along with photographs of the site, are reproduced at Appendix 11.

The site is secured by a post and wire fence and, aside from the well cellar and associated manifolds and pipework, no plant is present on site and the well head is secured by means of a metal cage.

Egmanton Oilfield July 2012

The nearest residential property, situated immediately to the south of Main Street, lies 225m to the north, with Weston cricket ground lying approximately 50m to the northwest of the site. A vehicle storage depot lies 25m to the east of the site, effectively screening views from the east, whilst a range of industrial units lie 175m to the west.

2.11. Wellsite 3 Wellsite 3 is located at NGR SK 775 673, 400m to the south of the B1164 and 600m to the south of Weston village centre. The site extends to approximately 0.18ha. and lies at an elevation of 18m AOD. The extent and layout of the site are shown on drawing numbers EGM3-06A and EGM3-07A respectively which, along with photographs of the site, are reproduced at Appendix 12.

It is accessed via Infield Lane, which runs southwards from the B1164. The nearest residential properties lie 350m to the north, immediately adjacent to the B1164. It is secured by means of a green palisade fence and plant includes a nodding donkey and a bunded oil storage tank. A concrete tanker loading pad is locate adjacent to the storage tank.

Significant established hedgerows to the south and west screen the site from these directions however long distance views from residential properties and the B1164 to the north remain.

2.12. Wellsite 32 Wellsite 32 is located at NGR SK 777 675, 150m to the south of the B1164 and 500m to the southeast of Weston village centre. It is accessed a roadway which leads southwards from the B6114 and is shared with agricultural land uses. The site extends to approximately 0.13ha. and lies at an elevation of 15m AOD. The extent and layout of the site are shown on drawing numbers EGM32-05A and EGM32-06A respectively which, along with photographs of the site, are reproduced at Appendix 13.

The site is secured by means of a chain link fence and the plant present being limited to a single nodding donkey. Produced fluids are conveyed directly to wellsite 3 by underground pipeline, where they are stored prior to export.

The nearest residential property, Meadowcroft, lies approximately 175m to the northeast, with another residential property, Crossways, lying some 250m to the northwest of the site. The site is visible from the B1164 in the north and residential properties close to the public highway in the northwest.

Egmanton Oilfield July 2012

3. OPERATIONS DESCRIPTION

3.1. General Oil is currently extracted from well sites 3, 14 and 32. Oil produced from wellsite 32 is conveyed by underground pipeline to wellsite 3, where it is stored in an appropriately bunded tank, whilst oil produced from wellsites 3 and 14 is stored on-site in bunded tanks pending collection by road tanker. The well site operations are limited to extraction of oil and no processing facilities exist on any site. The remaining wells are used for oilfield monitoring purposes and are required to be maintained for such purposes for the foreseeable future.

3.2. Oil Production The oil is brought to the surface by the use of beam pumps commonly known as nodding donkeys, which consists of an electric motor attached to each nodding donkey, which is in turn attached to a system of cranks and arms which converts the rotary mechanism of the motor to a vertical reciprocating motion to drive the pump shaft.

The pump itself is located at the bottom of each borehole and consists of a series of valves which pump the oil which collects into the bottom of the borehole through perforations in the borehole casing. The speed and travel of the pump controls the amount of fluids that are pumped. The nodding donkeys operate 24 hours per day 365 days per year apart from routine or breakdown maintenance.

The nodding donkeys are mounted on a concrete plinth and over a sump of concrete construction that is referred to as a well cellar and houses the oil well head and isolation valves. The well cellars are of impervious construction and are designed to provide spill containment during well head maintenance operations.

The wells are designed with three concentric casings of different diameters to address bursting, collapse, buckling and tensile loading, with a safety factor designed in for each. The casing design is based on site sub-surface data collected from geological surveys and this helped determine the size, strength and setting depths of the casing.

The area surrounding the well cellar on each site is of concrete construction, with the remaining operational area of the wellsites being surfaced with compacted hardcore.

Egmanton Oilfield July 2012

Rainwater collecting in the well cellars is periodically pumped to a road tanker for transport to the Gainsborough Gathering Centre for processing. No trade effluent or trade effluent drains exist on any site and all waste materials are removed and transported to Gainsborough for appropriate recovery or disposal.

In the event of excess pressure at the well head, an automatic shutdown system is in place. In addition to this, a trip switch on the collecting tank prevents overfilling of the tank.

3.3. Production Rates and Lifetime At its peak the Egmanton field produced some 760 bbls of oil per day and, in total, has produced over 3,300,000 bbls. Initially produced oil was conveyed from individual wellsites by pipeline to EGC, where it underwent primary processing and stabilisation prior to export. An export pipeline from EGC originally sent oil to Tuxford rail sidings for onward transport to the refinery.

Production rates have been low since 1989 when there was a marked and unexplained drop in production. Recovery to date is some 19% of the potential oil reserve and it is anticipated that with some investment in the existing oil wells that the current rate of production could be maintained for at least another 20 years. Based on the oil structure it is anticipated the remaining reserves could be produced from the existing well sites.

3.4. Security and Site Monitoring The remote sites are unmanned however the active sites receive regular, scheduled visits, whilst those sites which are not currently producing receive less frequent monitoring visits. Unauthorised access to the active sites is prevented by security fencing, with the main gates being of sufficient size to allow access by HGVs. On the active sites, security is backed up by an alarm system.

Egmanton Oilfield July 2012

3.5. Surface Water and Waste Disposal Rainwater collecting in the site sumps and bunded tanks is periodically collected by a road tanker for transport to Gainsborough Gathering Centre for processing.

All waste materials arising from any site maintenance operations undertaken are removed from site and transported to the Gainsborough for collection and appropriate off-site recovery or disposal.

3.6. Site Maintenance Vegetation growth within the operational areas is kept to a minimum by means of the spot applications of herbicides and all working areas are subject to regular inspections in accordance with IGas Energy’s preventative maintenance system.

3.7. Environmental Permitting The site is subject to a permit issued by the Environment Agency. The Permit, number TP3239MZ relates to; “The loading, unloading or handling of, the storage of, or the physical, chemical or thermal treatment of crude oil” . The Permit is regularly updated resulting from minor site changes and through compliance notices and there is a full audit, including site inspections, at least once a year.

Egmanton Oilfield July 2012

4. RESTORATION AND AFTERCARE

4.1. Restoration Following the permanent cessation of activities at the site, and in compliance with Condition 3 of the existing permission, all plant and machinery will be removed from the site and the well(s) plugged in accordance with current best practice.

Owing to the dispersed nature of the wellsites and the varied influence of the immediate surrounding areas and habitats, the restoration of each wellsite will be undertaken separately in accordance with a scheme to be agreed with the MPA.

Given the nature of the surrounding area it is envisaged that the majority of the sites will be restored to agriculture but, in cases where the sites are surrounded by established vegetation, a restoration to woodland or similar amenity afteruse may be more appropriate.

4.2. Aftercare An appropriate period of aftercare will be undertaken to ensure the successful regeneration of the sites.

Egmanton Oilfield July 2012

5. TRANSPORT

5.1. General Aside from the three active sites, transport movements are restricted to general maintenance and inspection visits. Fluids produced from wellsite 32 are conveyed to wellsite 3 by underground pipeline and no fluid storage facilities are in place at wellsite 32. Oil and produced water are removed from wellsites 14 and 32, by road tanker, for transport to Gainsborough for initial processing and storage.

5.2. Access Wellsites 1, 7, 35, 52 and the Gathering Centre are accessed by a private metalled roadway running east from Moorhouse Road, with the access gates being locked when not in use.

Wellsite 64 is accessed via the track which leads from the B1164 to Scarthingmoor Farm, whilst wellsites 5 and 27 are accessed via Ladywood Lane, which leads south from the B1164.

Wellsites 14 and 44 are accessed from Wadnal Lane, which also serves as the access to a number of industrial units and is consequently frequently trafficked by HGVs. Wellsites 3 and 32 have their own dedicated access tracks which run south from the B1164.

5.3. Vehicle Movements HGV movements associated with the removal of oil and produced water from the three producing sites will generally be five in and five out per week and these will be during normal working hours. In addition there will be, on average, a tanker visit the three operational sites twice per month to clean out the site sumps associated with the well cellars and tank bunds, but this could increase in periods of heavy rain.

Transport movements associated with general inspection and maintenance of the producing sites involves one light van visiting each site twice a day. The non-producing sites are visited less frequently.

Major maintenance such as the repair of rods or tubing, or the repair of the bottom hole pump will involve a workover rig being brought to site along with support vehicles. The duration of the work is generally in the order of five working days and, in addition to the rig being brought to and removed from the site there are generally two to three HGVs in and out per day and up to ten van movements (5 in and 5 out) per day for the workover crew and the support facilities. Unless there are emergency requirements, any maintenance work will be carried out during normal working hours.

Egmanton Oilfield July 2012

6. NOISE

6.1. General A noise impact assessment was undertaken by URS during June 2012 and is reproduced in full at Appendix 14.

The assessment has considered the cumulative noise impact of wellsites 3, 14, and 32 and both measured and predicted noise levels at the closest identified neighbouring residential properties have been compared with current guidelines.

As oil extraction operations are carried out continuously, the assessment has been undertaken with regard to the night time noise level criterion, as this is the time of day when the greatest noise impact would be expected to occur.

6.2. Potential Noise Impacts The assessment has considered the predicted noise levels experienced at the closest receptor locations under typical, worst case, downwind propagation conditions. It has been demonstrated that the noise level criterion would not be exceeded at any neighbouring noise sensitive properties and it is therefore concluded that the existing operations at these sites will give rise to cumulative noise levels comfortably below the criteria set out in current planning guidance.

Egmanton Oilfield July 2012

7. LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL IMPACT

7.1. Landscape Character The general landscape of this area is outlined in Newark and Sherwood District Council’s Landscape Character Assessment. The report identifies the close relationship between the landscape and geology, with the Mercia Mudstone giving rise to a low rolling escarpment that slopes gently eastwards.

Upon this general landscape setting, the main transport routes of the A1 and the main East Coast railway line form prominent barriers. The wellsites themselves are generally unobtrusive, with the majority of the sites having limited infrastructure and being virtually indistinguishable from surrounding agricultural land uses. Those sites with equipment in place are more easily distinguished however all plant and equipment is located so as to provide the minimal impact possible and is painted green in order to blend in with its surroundings.

Historically much of this area was dominated by tree cover however, by Roman Times, much of the land had been cleared and farming well established. Small communities developed around agriculture and, even to the present day, many of the villages are still strongly based on rural activities. The farming of the area is generally mixed and the agricultural fields are interspersed with small woodlands.

Views across the area are variable depending on the location, elevation and the presence of physical features, with distant views being available on the higher elevated land but equally there are many discrete parcels of land where views are very limited. Intervisibility between the sites is limited either by local topography, woodland or the presence of built development.

7.2. Visual Impact The majority of the wellsites are well screened by a combination of established screen planting, field boundary and roadside hedgerows. Where possible, plant on the three active sites is painted green in order to minimise its visual impact.

The Gathering Centre is screened to the south and west by its boundary hedgerows, whilst views of the site from the north and east are limited by Lady Wood and an area of scrubland respectively. Views of the site from the public highway are further screened by established roadside hedgerows. As all plant has recently been removed from the site, its residual visual impact is negligible.

Egmanton Oilfield July 2012

Wellsite 1 lies in a shallow valley and, owing to the local topography, the site is not easily visible from any feasible public viewpoint. It is screened from the A1 by established vegetation and Lady Wood effectively prevents views from the south. The nearest residential property, Gypsey Lodge Farm, lies 350m to the west-southwest and although distant views of the site are possible, the limited infrastructure has minimal visual impact.

Wellsite 7 lies within the field immediately to the west of the Gathering Centre and, whilst the site has no boundary hedgerows, established field hedgerows to the north and west limit views of the site from the public highway and Gypsey Lodge Farm. The Gathering Centre and Lady Wood restrict views from the east and north respectively.

Wellsite 35 and 52 are located in a shallow east-west running valley, with each site being visible from the other. To the south the land rises to meet the A1, whilst to the north it rises towards Scarthingmoor Farm.

The closest residential properties, forming the Scarthingmoor Farm complex, lie between 100 and 200m to the north and, whilst the two wellsites are screened from the A1 by the intervening topography and established vegetation, they remain visible from Scarthingmoor Farm. The limited plant present, coupled with the nature of the surrounding arable land and the nearby farm complex, serves to minimise any potential impact upon the Farm.

Wellsite 64 is well screened from the west and northwest by extensive, established vegetation however it remains open to the northeast, east and south. Direct views of the site are possible from the B1164, Scarthingmoor Farm and Goosemoor Hall however the lack of any significant plant make the site virtually indistinguishable from surrounding land uses and accordingly its visual impact is minimal.

Wellsite 5 is open to the north, south and west and is visible from both the A1 and Ladywood Lane. Established hedgerows to the north of Ladywood Lane and immediately to the east of the site prevent any long-distance views from these directions. An electricity transmission pylon lies 50m to the southeast of the site and, when viewed from any feasible public viewpoint the site is dwarfed by this pylon and remains virtually invisible in the wider landscape.

The local topography prevents any long distance views of wellsite 27, although glimpsed views may be possible from the A1. As with other monitoring wellsites, the lack of plant leads to the site remaining virtually invisible in the wider landscape.

Egmanton Oilfield July 2012

Owing to its relatively elevated position, wellsite 14 has the greatest potential for visual impact and is potentially visible from a number of public viewpoints and residential properties. The majority of these views are however distant and locally the landscape is dominated by the nearby industrial units, with the A1 and electricity pylons having a significant influence on the wider landscape.

Where possible the plant is painted dark green and the chain link boundary fence helps to soften the visual impact. A belt of established planting is present along the site’s southeastern boundary and, when viewed from the north and west, much of the site infrastructure is lost against this backdrop.

Wellsite 44 lies to the west of a significant industrial development, which effectively prevents views of the site from the east, whilst the topography limits any potential views from the south. Direct views of the site are possible from the cricket ground to the north however the lack of any significant plant minimises the site’s impact, especially when viewed against the backdrop of the nearby industrial land uses.

Wellsite 3 is secured by green palisade fencing and the plant includes a nodding donkey and a bunded oil storage tank. Significant established hedgerows to the south and west screen the site from these directions and the green palisade fencing serves to soften the impact of the site in long-distance views from residential properties to the north.

As with wellsite 3, wellsite 32 is screened by a number of agricultural hedgerows however distant views do remain from a number of residential properties close to the B1164. The nearest residential property, Meadowcroft, lies approximately 175m to the northeast, with another residential property, Crossways, lying some 250m to the northwest of the site. The site is secured by means of a chain link fence and the plant present is painted green in order to minimise its impact.

Overall, whilst the individual sites and plant present may have some potential for limited visual impact, a combination of established screen planting, existing hedgerows and topography, the sites are well screened from any sensitive viewpoints. Given the variety of land uses within the area, including industrial areas, the village of Weston and the scattered farm complexes, the sites are easily absorbed within the local landscape. As no further built development is proposed, this situation will remain unchanged and the oilfield’s impact on the landscape will remain minimal.

Egmanton Oilfield July 2012

8. OTHER POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

8.1. Flood Risk As the cumulative area covered by the sites exceeds one hectare, a Flood Risk Assessment has been prepared and is reproduced in full at Appendix 15. It has been undertaken in line with guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

The oilfield has operated for in excess of fifty years without incident in respect of flooding and the wellsites include only minimal areas of impermeable hard standing.

The Environment Agency’s flood zone mapping shows all wellsites to be in flood zone 1, with the exception of wellsite 64, which lies in flood zones 2 and 3. The principal flood risk to this site has been identified as Goosemoor Dyke and its tributaries.

Newark and Sherwood District Council’s SFRA confirms all sites with the exception of wellsite 64 to be in areas of low flood risk. With respect to wellsite 64, modelling has shown the site to be at risk from only shallow flooding and, given the limited nature of the site infrastructure, such flooding would not pose a significant risk to the operations.

No further potential sources of flooding have been identified and therefore it is concluded that the oilfield as a whole is at negligible risk of flooding, and that the continuation of operations does not increase this risk either for the site or any third party properties.

8.2. Contamination and Groundwater Protection Operations at all operational sites are carried out under a Pollution Prevention and Control permit issued by the Environment Agency.

Compliance with this permit, along with IGas Energy’s in house safety procedures, ensure that the risk of contamination occurring are reduced to a minimum.

8.3. Dust The activities carried out at the site do not give rise to significant levels of dust and operational experience throughout the United Kingdom has shown that plant identical to that installed at the site can operate in close proximity to sensitive receptors without cause for concern.

The only potential for dust nuisance is from vehicles accessing the site however the potential for dust generation is minimised by maintaining all areas accessible by vehicles in an appropriate condition.

Egmanton Oilfield July 2012

8.4. Ecology Operational areas of all wellsites are surfaced with aggregate and are consequently of negligible ecological value. Peripheral grassed areas are maintained at least annually or more frequently if required. No further development in these areas is envisaged and on site activities have negligible impact on habitats outside of the sites.

8.5. Statutorily Designated Sites A search of the MAGIC database and Natural England’s ‘Nature on the Map’ has not identified any statutorily designated sites or Local Nature Reserves within 500m of any wellsite.

8.6. Public Rights of Way The oilfield is cross cut by a number of public rights of way, as shown on drawing number EGMO-01A. The contained nature of the wellsites ensures that the operations have negligible impact upon any right of way and, as no further built development is proposed, this situation will remain.

8.7. Archaeology and Cultural Heritage The application does not call for any additional built development and therefore there will be no impact upon any archaeological resource.

Egmanton Oilfield July 2012

9. CUMULATIVE IMPACT

It is recognised that, although the impact of the individual sites is minimal, the perceived cumulative impact of a number of sites in close proximity to each other could be significant and this is considered below.

The total area of land occupied by all wellsites, including the Gathering Centre, is 3.7ha. This is set in a landscape of some 136ha. and therefore the oil wells only represent some 2.7% of land use. This small amount of land use is considered to have a negligible impact.

Owing to a combination of topography and established woodland, intervisibility between the sites is limited and the distance between the individual sites, combined with the prominent transport links, serves to divide the oilfield into smaller ‘groups’ of two or three sites which have limited overall impact.

Egmanton Oilfield July 2012

10. PLANNING POLICY

10.1. Policy Framework NCC has responsibility for all mineral planning control within the County and is considered to be the competent authority in respect of this application. The site lies within the Newark and Sherwood District and, whilst not necessarily relating directly to oil and gas applications, policies contained within the Local Development Framework (LDF) have also been considered where relevant.

In addition to the above, account has been taken of National planning policy in the form of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which was published in March 2012. The majority of Minerals Planning Guidance Notes and Minerals Policy Statements were cancelled with the publication of the NPPF.

10.2. Minerals Local Plan The Nottinghamshire Minerals Local Plan (MLP) was adopted on 5 th December 2005 following several periods of public consultation and a public inquiry. Following a submission by the County Council, the Secretary of State directed that, with seven exceptions, all MLP policies be saved until replaced by new adopted policies. None of the seven exceptions are considered to have any direct relevance to this application.

Of the retained policies, Chapter 13 of the MLP, ‘ Oil, Coalbed Methane and Mine Gas’ is consider to be the most relevant chapter to this application and highlights that, in addition to contributing to the local economy, the Government receives considerable revenues in the form of taxes and royalties from oil production and that, despite the relative insignificance of onshore oil, it remains a cheap and economic resource to exploit when compared to its North Sea counterpart.

At paragraph 13.16 the MLP recognises that, in land-use terms, oil is very economical and the environmental impacts associated with its extraction are normally limited.

Policy M13.3 OIL PRODUCTION states that:

Proposals for the production, processing or transport of oil will be permitted provided that they are: (a) consistent with an overall scheme enabling the full development of the resources; (b) there are no unacceptable impacts on the environment and to residential amenity.

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The operations across the oilfield are undertaken in line with current best practice and the retention of the oilfield for a further period of time will ensure that the resources will be developed fully.

At Paragraph 13.29 of the MLP, it is recognised that ‘Boreholes often pass through other underground mineral resources, which can give rise to a number of problems.’

Policy M13.6 ‘BOREHOLES – CONFLICTS WITH OTHER UNDERGROUND MINERAL RESOURCES’ states that:

Where proposals for borehole exploration and production coincide with areas containing other underground mineral resources the County Council will need to be satisfied that their exploitation will not be unreasonably affected. Despite the presence of other potential underground resources, the oilfield operates without impact upon any other mineral resource.

POLICY M13.7 RECLAMATION OF OIL AND METHANE SITES

Where planning permission for oil and methane development is granted, conditions will be imposed requiring the site to be restored back to its original use as soon as practical once the development is no longer required. As previously identified, each individual site will be restored to the most beneficial afteruse, with due regard being given to the surrounding area and habitats present.

10.3. Nottinghamshire Emerging Policy NCC is currently preparing new minerals planning guidance in the form of their Minerals and Waste Development Framework (MWDF). The Minerals Core Strategy will set out overall approach to future mineral extraction in the County, with the Minerals Development Control Policies Document being prepared at the same time. These documents will set out policies for controlling development and making sure environmental standards are met.

Evidence gathering is now underway, with an aim of having the finalised MWDF adopted by 2013. Given the relatively early stage of the emerging MWDF, there are currently no emerging policies with direct relevance to this application.

Egmanton Oilfield July 2012

10.4. Newark and Sherwood Local Plan The District Council is currently in the process of producing the Local Development Framework (LDF), with the Core Strategy being adopted in March 2011. This now forms part of the Development Plan for the District and partly replaces content within the Newark and Sherwood Local Plan (1999).

Whilst policies within the Local Plan are not specifically designed to address minerals extraction, the plan does recognise that ‘current (oil) production levels have not given rise to any major environmental problems.’ The plan outlines a number of environmental issues which should be taken into account in determining applications and, where relevant, these issues have been incorporated into this application.

Policies within the Core Strategy have little direct relevance to the review of this permission however, as with the Local Plan, there is an overarching desire to minimise the impacts of any development and this has been taken into account in this review.

10.5. National Planning Policy Framework The National Planning Policy Framework, published on 27 th March 2012, sets out the Government’s planning policies for England and how these are expected to be applied. Whilst the Framework does not set any specific policies in relation to the retention of minerals sites such as those at Egmanton, it nevertheless contains guidance on matters which have relevance to the development.

The NPPF is a material planning consideration in the determination of planning applications but does not change the statutory status of the Development Plan as being a starting point for decision making. At the heart of the NPPF is a presumption in favour of sustainable development.

Section 13, ‘ Facilitating the sustainable use of minerals ’, addresses issues which must be assessed when considering minerals applications. The NPPF recognises that minerals are essential to support sustainable economic growth and our quality of life and the importance of ensuring a sufficient supply of material to provide the infrastructure, buildings, energy and goods that the country needs. In addition, it recognises that minerals are a finite natural resource, and can only be worked where they are found.

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With particular reference to minerals paragraph 142 notes that ‘minerals are essential to support sustainable economic growth and our quality of life. It is therefore important that there is a sufficient supply of material to provide….energy and goods our country needs’ .

Paragraph 144 states that ‘When determining planning applications, local planning authorities should: give great weight to the benefits of the mineral extraction, including to the economy;……….’

Production from the Oilfield makes a small but important contribution to the overall viability of oil extraction throughout the East Midlands, which supports a considerable number of jobs and eases the Country’s reliance on imports.

Accordingly the proposed retention of the oilfield in order to maximise the recovery of an important energy mineral without the need for any further development is considered to be in line with the aims of the NPPF.

The Technical Guidance accompanying the NPPF provides additional guidance to local planning authorities to ensure the effective implementation of the planning policy set out in the NPPF in relation flood risk and minerals matters, including guidance on noise and dust.

This guidance retains key elements of numerous Planning Policy and Minerals Policy Statements and Minerals Planning Guidance Notes, which are considered necessary and helpful in relation to their relative policy areas.

Where relevant the guidance has been taken into consideration throughout this document, with issues regarding noise, dust and flood risk and other potential environmental concerns being addressed in line with the procedures outlined within the NPPF.

Egmanton Oilfield July 2012