Cuadrilla makes headway with UK fracking project
It's taken seven years, but hydraulic fracturing is set to be resumed in northern England
The UK government's decision, announced on 24 July, to allow hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in a shale gas well in England for the first time since 2011 represents a hard-fought victory for the drillers, but doesn't signal the start of a shale gas rush just yet. Privately-owned Cuadrilla now has final government consent to frack one of two wells It has already drilled at its Preston New Road site in Lancashire, north-west England, and plans to apply for consent to frack the second well soon. Among other would-be fracking firms to take heart from the decision is Third Energy, which is 95% owned by banking group Barclays. The company is waiting for government approval to start test fracking a
Also in this section
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
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
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






