CHAPTER 11. Energy Minerals

Transcription

1 CHAPTER 11 Energy Minerals Source: Devon County Minerals Local Plan, Final Plan: Part A, May 2004

2 Source: Devon County Minerals Local Plan, Draft Plan: Part A, May 2004

3 THE COUNTY COUNCIL'S STRATEGY FOR ENERGY MINERAL DEVELOPMENT WILL INCLUDE: supporting the exploration for energy minerals, having regard at all times to the principles of sustainable development. Policy MP 62 -Exploration. safeguarding energy minerals from sterilisation by other forms of development. Policy MP 15 Non-Mineral Development in Mineral Consultation Areas. Source: Devon County Minerals Local Plan, Draft Plan: Part A, May 2004

4 Source: Devon County Minerals Local Plan, Draft Plan: Part A, May 2004

5 11. ENERGY MINERALS 11.1 INTRODUCTION minerals, having regard at all times to Energy minerals comprise coal, oil and gas. There are no known economic deposits of coal in Devon and the Minerals Local Plan therefore does not relate to coal. Sedimentary structures containing potential oil and gas resources occur in the English Channel off the East Devon Coast. The County Council would be the determining authority for any onshore oil and gas development applications. Offshore oil and gas development is administered by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), with the MPA as one of the statutory consultees in the determination process. STATEMENT OF INTENT S 16 RESPONSE TO CONSULTATION FOR OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS DEVELOPMENTS When considering its consultation response to applications for offshore oil and gas the County Council will apply similar development control criteria (described in Chapter 4) to that of an equivalent land location, based upon the development control and environmental policies contained in this Plan Offshore and onshore oil and gas developments are described below. It is evident that within the Plan period any activity is likely only to relate to continued exploration. The County Council s Strategy for Energy Mineral Development therefore supports the exploration for energy the principles of sustainable development OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) (formerly the Department of Energy), grants licences for oil and gas exploration off the coast of the United Kingdom. The licences are offered by way of Blocks in different coastal areas, and are issued in Rounds. The 14th Round of licences was offered in August 1992, and related to areas in the North Sea, new areas in the Bristol Channel and an area in the English Channel off the East Devon coast between Seaton and Lyme Regis. However, no licences were subsequently awarded in the Bristol Channel and the nearest licence application area was 14 kilometres from the coast of East Devon In view of the substantial exploration for oil and gas that has taken place in the English Channel, a Standing Conference was established in 1979, comprising representatives from the Maritime District Councils and the County Councils bordering the main areas of activity. Devon County Council was elected to full membership in April The purpose of the Standing Conference is to provide a forum for consultation with the DTI on oil and gas exploration activities. The issuing of subsequent rounds of licences may mean that offshore exploration is carried out nearer to the coast of Devon and such exploration would need to be monitored. Source: Devon County Minerals Local Plan, Draft Plan: Part A, May 2004

6 11.3 ONSHORE OIL AND GAS Onshore oil and gas developments are subject to planning legislation but must also be licensed by the Department of Trade and Industry. In January 1985, a licensing system was brought into effect whereby separate licences are required for the exploration, appraisal and production stages. The first round of awards for onshore petroleum exploration licences to allow companies to proceed with exploratory drilling were announced in These permitted companies to carry out both geological and seismic investigations including the drilling of deep boreholes, subject to planning permission being granted (where appropriate), and consent being given by the landowner Of the 20 exploration licences announced in 1985, only one was awarded in Devon. It covered a 200km 2 rectangular block, extending due north from Seaton just into Somerset. The licence was valid for six years and expired in 1991, A temporary (12 month) planning permission was granted to Gas Council (Exploration) Limited in August 1986 to sink one exploration well for oil and gas exploration at Musbury, to the south west of Axminster. The well was sunk and was found to be dry. An aftercare condition was attached to the planning permission and the site has been restored No further interest has been shown to date for onshore oil exploration in Devon. Source: Devon County Minerals Local Plan, Draft Plan: Part A, May 2004