Fracking equipment removed from Cuadrilla site after operations suspended: ‘Work at this site could soon be at an end’

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. In a statement Cuadrilla said it was “demobilising hydraulic fracturing equipment”, at Preston New Road, but was still planning to begin flow testing its second horizontal shale gas well. Cuadrilla’s chief executive Francis Egan said the second well, which had been partially fracked in August could “further demonstrate the huge commercial opportunity here”. The firm said it was continuing “to assist the Oil and Gas Authority on a series of technical studies arising out of a seismic event measuring 2.9 on the Richter scale, which occurred on August 26, 2019.” The statement added: “A timeframe has not been agreed with the OGA for this work to be completed and further hydraulic fracturing will not take place at Preston New Road before current planning permission for fracturing expires at the end of November.” Environmental campaigners have welcomed the news the company is taking its equipment away. “We think this hopefully means the end of fracking in the UK,” said Friends of the Earth chief executive Craig Bennett in a short video statement from the Conservative Party conference.