Difference between revisions of "Cuadrilla Resources"

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{{‪Template:Fracking badge‬}}'''Cuadrilla Resources''' is a UK energy company based in Staffordshire. Set up in 2007 and backed by [[British Gas]], it has been described as "the pioneer of fracking in the UK". It has been at the forefront of the fledgling shale gas industry's efforts to kickstart shale exploration in rural areas, employing a raft of heavyweight lobbyists and enjoying easy access to government ministers.
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{{‪Template:Fracking badge‬}}'''Cuadrilla Resources''' is an energy company set up in 2007 and based in Lancashire. It has pioneered the shale gas industry's efforts to kick-start fracking across the UK, employing a raft of heavyweight lobbyists and enjoying easy access to government ministers.  
   
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In the first half of 2018 Cuadrilla drilled two horizontal wells into UK shale rock at its flagship Preston New Road (PNR) site in the parish of Westby-with-Plumptons, in the Fylde, Lancashire.
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In May the company submitted an application to the Secretary of State for the [[Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy]] for consent to hydraulically fracture the UK’s first ever horizontal shale gas well at PNR. <Ref>Cuadrilla Resources, [https://cuadrillaresources.com/site/preston-new-road/ Cuadrilla website, Preston New Road], last accessed 8 June 2018 </ref> Cuadrilla received the green light in July, and in October 2018 it began fracking after a seven-year pause.
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Cuadrilla currently has eight sites in the Lancashire Bowland shale gas exploration licence area. Only one, Preston New Road, is operational so far, but by January 2019 activities had ground to a halt after a series of tremors occurred during Cuadrilla's first attempted fracks in late 2018. On 11 July, Cuadrilla announced it was preparing to frack again and would remobilise equipment at Preston New Road between now and September, focusing on PNR-2, the second well at the site. 'We have an exciting few months ahead, for all of us,' said chief executive [[Francis Egan]].<ref> Cuadrilla [https://cuadrillaresources.com/media-resources/press-releases/cuadrilla-confirms-plan-for-further-testing-at-preston-new-road/?fbclid=IwAR3Vr0k8PHrB18ws2eSKQlDS0Xdo7XiSBtahwyVSHSzTG0yngpOaqYT54jM CUADRILLA CONFIRMS PLAN FOR FURTHER TESTING AT PRESTON NEW ROAD], company website, dated and accessed 11 July 2019 </ref>as a last-ditch effort to convince policymakers to relax safety rules on the government's earthquake tremor rules. <ref> Jillian Ambrose[https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jul/11/cuadrilla-restart-fracking-site-lancashire-preston-new-road Cuadrilla to restart fracking at site in Lancashire], 11 July 2019, accessed same day </ref>
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Another well site, at Roseacre Wood near Blackpool, was refused permission by Lancashire councillors. In February 2019 the local government secretary [[James Brokenshire]] rejected Cuadrilla’s appeal against councillors' refusal to give the site the go-ahead. <ref> 12 February 2019 </ref>
 
==Background==
 
==Background==
Cuadrilla is a UK-registered company privately owned by its management team and two investors, the Australian drilling and engineering company [[AJ Lucas]] (43%) and former BP CEO [[John Browne]]'s [[Riverstone Holdings|Riverstone LLC]].  
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===Owners===
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Parent company Cuadrilla Resources Holdings is a UK-registered company privately owned by its management team (8%) and two investors, the Australian drilling and engineering company [[AJ Lucas]] (47%) and [[Riverstone Holdings|Riverstone LLC]] (45%), which was previously chaired by former BP CEO and former Cuadrilla chairman [[John Browne]]. It is backed by [[Centrica]], which in 2013 spent £100m buying a 25 per cent share of Cuadrilla's Lancashire fracking operation and licence.
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In 2017 the firm employed 'some 70 staff' in the UK both directly and through contractors, mostly based at the well sites.
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===Finances===
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Cuadrilla reported it made a loss of $17.68 million in the year to 31 December 2015, caused in large part by the ongoing delays to get fracking underway at its sites.<ref> Emily Gosden, [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2016/10/29/losses-mount-at-cuadrilla-as-it-counts-the-cost-of-fracking-dela/ Losses mount at Cuadrilla as it counts the cost of fracking delays], ''The Telegraph'', 29 October 2016, accessed 7 November 2016. </ref>It subsequently reported a loss of $11.5m in the year to December 2016.
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In June 2018 however, Cuadrilla reported its first profit of $5.457m for its annual accounts in the year ending 31 December 2017.  This was largely thanks to contributions from Centrica totalling $16.9m.  It had little other income, however, just $23,000 in revenue from services for the exploration and appraisal of oil and gas assets, up from $12,000 in 2016. According to these accounts, 'Cuadrilla remains debt free and is financed by its shareholders'.<ref>  Ruth Hayhurst, [https://drillordrop.com/2018/06/04/centrica-payment-puts-cuadrilla-in-profit/ Centrica payment puts Cuadrilla in profit],  4 June 2018 </ref>
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Following the series of tremors induced by fracking at Preston New Road in October-November 2018,  AJ Lucas, which owns 47% of Cuadrilla, saw its share price under come under strong pressure.
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===Contractors===
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The main contracting partner in the UK is [[PR Marriott Drilling]] Ltd in Chesterfield, which has 'over 60 years of drilling experience in Britain'. <ref> [https://www.linkedin.com/company/brabant-resources LinkedIn | Cuadrilla Resources], ''LinkedIn'', accessed 25 January 2017. </ref>
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==History of fracking==
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==='Earth tremors' in Blackpool 2011-12===
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[[Image:BalcombeFracking.jpg|400px|right|thumb|Anti-fracking protest at Balcombe in 2013]]
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In November 2011, a damning report commissioned by [[Cuadrilla]] revealed the company's own fracking operations at Banks, near Merseyside, were the 'probable' cause of 50 separate earthquake tremors in the Blackpool area from earlier in the year.
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The announcement proved controversial for the entire industry, and soon forced the company to stop work after the government implemented a moratorium on fracking while it reviewed the implications of the report. <ref> Tom Bawden, [http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/green-living/exclusive-fracking-company-we-caused-50-tremors-in-blackpool-but-were-not-going-to-stop-6256397.html Exclusive: Fracking company - we caused 50 tremors in Blackpool – but we're not going to stop], ''Independent'', 3 November 2011, accessed 12 October 2016.</ref> This was later lifted in December 2012, despite mounting public concern. <ref> [http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20707574 Gas fracking: Ministers approve shale gas extraction], ''BBC News'', 13 December 2012, accessed 13 October 2016.</ref>
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===Balcombe, Sussex protests 2013===
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Cuadrilla's attempt to resume exploration elsewhere in summer 2013 at Balcombe in Sussex were met by strong protests from local residents and campaign groups. In a significant victory for the anti-fracking lobby and local communities, Cuadrilla announced in October 2013 that it would pull out from its site in Blackpool after the continued disruption made production commercially non-viable. <ref> Jonathan Brown, [http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/fracking-company-cuadrilla-pulls-out-of-shale-gas-site-in-lancashire-8859877.html Fracking company Cuadrilla pulls out of shale gas site in Lancashire], ''Independent'', 4 October 2013, accessed 13 October 2016.</ref>
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===The battle for Lancashire===
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[[Image:FrackFreeLancCampaigners.jpg|400px|left|thumb|Protests outside Lancashire County Hall in Preston 2015]]
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In July 2013, Cuadrilla announced it would divest its focus from West Sussex to the Fylde area of Lancashire. <ref> Terry McCallister, [http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/jul/05/cuadrilla-fracking-expansion?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487 Cuadrilla announces major fracking expansion in UK], ''The Guardian'', Friday 5 July 2013 18.14 BST </ref> The company's lengthy application process to frack in Lancashire was the subject of much protest, and saw a series of government and lobbying initiatives successfully over-ride local democracy.
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In February 2014, the company submitted applications to drill and frack eight shale wells at sites in Preston New Road and at nearby Roseacre Wood, <ref> Fiona Harvey and Adam Vaughan, [https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/feb/04/cuadrilla-two-new-lancashire-fracking-sites-shale-gas Cuadrilla announces two new Lancashire fracking sites], ''The Guardian'', 4 February 2014, accessed 23 November 2016. </ref>however, these were rejected by members of [[Lancashire County Council]]'s development control committee in June 2015. <ref> [http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-33277517 Roseacre Wood fracking bid rejected by Lancashire councillors], ''BBC News'', 25 June 2015, accessed 19 September 2016 </ref>The company appealed the decision.
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Six months after Lancashire council's refusal, Conservative ministers gave themselves new powers to override local council planning decisions. A leaked letter from July 2015, signed [[Amber Rudd]], [[Greg Clark]] and [[Liz Truss]] revealed the proposals to remove the decision making powers from the council were tabled very shortly after the council refused permission to [[Cuadrilla]], so that the decision could be reversed. <ref>Christopher Hope, [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/earth/energy/fracking/12130801/Ministers-plot-to-foil-anti-frackers.html Ministers plot to foil anti-frackers], ''The Telegraph'', 30 January 2016, accessed 13 September 2016 </ref> A subsequent public inquiry into Cuadrilla's appeal against the rejected planning applications, held in February - March 2016, saw the determination eventually passed onto the government's communities and planning secretary [[Greg Clark]]<ref>Frances Perraudin, [https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/feb/09/lancashire-county-council-fracking-cuadrilla-public-inquiry Lancashire council's fracking refusal was 'democracy in action'], ''The Guardian'', 9 February 2016, accessed 13 September 2016</ref> who was later replaced by [[Sajid Javid]] in July 2016.
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In October 2016 Javid ruled to uphold the appeal, paving the way for shale gas production at Preston New Road from 2017.<ref> Adam Vaughan, [https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/oct/06/uk-fracking-given-go-ahead-as-lancashire-council-rejection-is-overturned Fracking in UK given go-ahead as Lancashire council rejection overturned], ''The Guardian'', 6 October 2016, accessed 6 October 2016.</ref> The application for the Roseacre Wood site is still undetermined. Cuadrilla began construction of the Preston fracking site in January 2017. <ref> Adam Vaughan, [https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jan/05/cuadrilla-starts-work-on-lancashire-fracking-site-fylde Cuadrilla starts work on Lancashire fracking site], ''The Guardian'', 5 January 2017, accessed 26 January 2017. </ref>
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In November 2016, it was revealed that the government deliberately delayed the release of a damning report on fracking until after the decisions on [[Cuadrilla]]'s applications were taken, thereby favouring the company's appeal in 2015. The report cites significant risks to human health, house prices, tourism and farming caused by the shale gas industry. <ref> [http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-38105768 Government 'delayed fracking report' until after vote, Greenpeace claims], ''BBC News'', 25 November 2016, accessed 30 November 2016. </ref> The government previously released a heavily redacted version of the report, which excluded the risk assessment. <ref> [https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/440791/draft-shale-gas-rural-economy-impact-report.pdf Draft Shale Gas Rural Economy Impacts paper], ''GOV.uk'', 1 July 2015, accessed 19 September 2016 </ref>
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===Fighting anti-fracking campaigners===
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[[Image:Tina Rothery.jpg|400px|right|thumb|Tina Rothery]]
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Cuadrilla has engaged in efforts to disparage and undermine residential groups and green campaigners who oppose fracking, going so far as to launch a series of legal disputes against individuals who have led local protests.
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In March 2014, Green party MP [[Caroline Lucas]] faced trial in the High Court after being arrested for wilful obstruction of a highway outside the [[Cuadrilla]] site in Balcombe. <ref> Haroon Siddique, [https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/mar/24/green-mp-caroline-lucas-trial-sussex-fracking-protests Green MP Caroline Lucas goes on trial over Sussex fracking protests], ''The Guardian'', 24 March 2014, accessed 28 September 2016. </ref> She was found not guilty a month later. <ref> Caroline Davies, [https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/apr/17/caroline-lucas-cleared-anti-fracking-protest-charges Caroline Lucas cleared of anti-fracking protest charges], ''The Guardian'', 17 April 2014, accessed 26 January 2017. </ref>
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In June 2016, Cuadrilla launched a lawsuit against prominent anti-fracking campaigner Tina Rothery for £55,000. Alongside the protest group 'the Nanas', Rothery occupied a field near Blackpool being considered for fracking, which the company had rented from a local farmer. <ref> Nazia Parveen, [https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jun/24/anti-fracking-activist-refuses-to-pay-legal-bill-cuadrilla Anti-fracking activist refuses to pay £55,000 legal bill in Cuadrilla dispute], ''The Guardian'', 24 June 2016, accessed 26 January 2017. </ref> She refused to pay the fee, and was then held in contempt of court. In December 2016 however, she was found not guilty and was spared jail and the fine. <ref> Frances Perraudin, [https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/dec/09/anti-fracking-activist-spared-jail-after-refusing-to-pay-court-55000 Anti-fracking activist spared jail after refusing to pay court £55,000], ''The Guardian'', 9 December 2016, accessed 12 December 2016. </ref>
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===Breaching planning laws to 'avoid protests' in cooperation with police===
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In July 2017 after a month of anti-fracking protests, lock-ons and 'slow walks' at the Preston New Road site, Cuadrilla's drilling rig was delivered overnight 'to avoid protests', in breach of planning permission.  This prompted Lancashire county council to warn Cuadrilla it was considering action against it.
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Cuadrilla argued it had opted to deliver outside of its permitted hours to 'minimise' the disruption at the site, and claimed it had done so in consultation with the police.<ref> Adam Vaughan, [https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jul/27/fracking-drilling-rig-smuggled-on-site-overnight-avoid-protests Fracking drilling rig brought on site overnight 'to avoid protests'], ''The Guardian'', 27 July 2017 17.14 BST, accessed 25 August 2017</ref>
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==='Chilling' Injunctions against protest at oil and gas sites===
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====Preston New Road protestors breached injunction, rules judge====
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In June 2018 Cuadrilla was awarded an interim injunction at the High Court in Manchester that covered protest activity against their shale gas exploration operations at the Preston New Road site near Little Plumpton.
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At a two-day hearing in early July 2018, campaigners and locals argued that this injunction prevented meaningful protest and was too onerous. However, Judge [[Mark Pelling]] QC said the injunction struck the right balance and awarded Cuadrilla and local farmers an extension until 1 June, 2020. The ''Gazette'' reported that:
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:The injunction bans blockade of the entrance and nearby road and suppliers’ sites, slow walking in front of delivery trucks or climbing on vehicles and trespass on the site. It does not prevent people standing on the roadside.<ref> Tim Gavell, [Judge grants fracking firm injunction to 2020], ''The Gazette'', 11 July 2018, accessed 13 July 2018 </ref>
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Several weeks later at a 6.5-hour lock-on protest outside Preston New Road on 24 July 2018 six people were arrested for breach of Cuadrilla's injunction.
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Three of the six arrested faced trial on 25 June 2019 in Manchester, in what's believed to be the first case of its kind in the UK, for an alleged breach of a protest injunction granted to a UK onshore oil or gas company. Chris Wilson (55), Katrina Lawrie (41) and Lee Walsh (44) denied breaking the injunction in force around the site.
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In court, Cuadrilla's lawyers argued that the protesters 'had showed 'reckless intent' to disrupt traffic by locking themselves together at the entrance to Preston New Road fracking site on 24 July last year and were part of a “conspiracy” to break the injunction'.
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On 28 June [[Mark Pelling]] QC, the same judge who had extended Cuadrilla's injunction in July 2018 until mid-2020, ruled that the three protestors were in contempt of court for taking part in the protest - a charge that carries a two-year maximum prison sentence.  No sentence has been set yet, though Pelling has stated he will not be sending them to prison.
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The protesters' solicitor Simon Pook said: 'Injunctions such as this have a chilling effect on the right to peaceful protest. Britain has a proud history of protest. It forms the essence of civic society. From the actions of the suffragettes to the ‘Blackpool Two’, civil disobedience has long been exercised as a form of legitimate protest.'<ref>Helen Pidd, [https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jun/28/anti-fracking-activists-breached-injunction-judge-rules-cuadrilla Anti-fracking activists breached injunction, judge rules], ''Guardian,'' 28 June, accessed same day </ref>
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====2019 legal case against Cuadrilla to curtail injunctions====
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In June 2019 Friends of the Earth launched legal proceedings to try to force Cuadrilla to 'substantially reduce' its wide-ranging injunction which restricts anti-fracking protests against its Preston New Road site. An initial hearing on the challenge was held on 28 June at the High Court in Manchester.
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'Injunctions such as that granted to Cuadrilla, raise very significant human rights issues and are a sinister attempt to use the law to stop peaceful protest against the fracking industry,' stated the group. <ref> [https://friendsoftheearth.uk/legal-and-planning/friends-earth-commences-high-court-action-against-cuadrilla-over-unlawful Friends of the Earth commences High Court action against Cuadrilla over 'unlawful' anti-protest injunction], Friends of the Earth, press release 25 June 2019 </ref>
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==Policing costs==
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In February 2019 Lancashire’s police and crime commissioner [[Clive Grunshaw]] announced that the government would give £4.3m towards the cost of policing anti-fracking protests outside Preston New Road. 'Operation Manilla' outside the Preston New Road site near Blackpool, would cost nearly £11.5m by March 2019, he added. This was an increase on the government's contribution in 2018, when it gave just £1.4m, the minimum allowed under [[Home Office]] rules. <ref> Ruth Hayhurst, [https://drillordrop.com/2019/02/01/police-chief-welcomes-government-cash-for-anti-fracking-protests/Police chief welcomes government cash for anti-fracking protests], Drill or Drop, 1 February 2019 </ref>
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==Lobbying and spin==
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===Cuadrilla's 'quiet word' with government ministers over waste management regulations===
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[[Image:SmithPatersonBrowne.jpg|400px|right|thumb|Smith (left), Paterson (centre) and Browne (right)]]
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In March 2014, a Freedom of Information request revealed that former UK environment secretary [[Owen Paterson]] convened an 'urgent high-level' meeting for Cuadrilla's former chairman [[Lord Browne]] with the chair of the [[Environment Agency]] (EA) [[Lord Smith]], and other government executives. The meeting was organised on Browne's behalf in order to challenge waste management regulations that applied to the company's operations, after a series of correspondence that included [[Cuadrilla]]'s chief executive and former energy minister [[Michael Fallon]].
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At Browne's request, Smith offered to fast-track Cuadrilla's consultation for an environmental permit, as well as to intervene in any county council decision that jeopardised Cuadrilla's interests. The meeting also jubilantly discussed the UK's successful lobbying attempts in the EU to defeat attempts to set legally binding environmental regulations for the continent's shale gas industry. <ref> Damian Carrington, [https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/jan/14/uk-defeats-european-bid-fracking-regulations UK defeats European bid for fracking regulations], ''The Guardian'', 14 January 2014, accessed 26 January 2017. </ref>
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The disclosures, which had been redacted from meeting minutes released by the Environment Agency, showed a conflict of interest, especially given Lord Browne's role as the government's lead non-executive director. Green campaigners subsequently questioned the integrity of the EA.
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=== Sponsoring 'expert' consensus===
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After stepping down from his EA role Lord Smith went on to head the industry-sponsored  [[Task Force on Shale Gas]], a so-called independent body bankrolled by Cuadrilla and other oil and gas firms. <ref>Damian Carrington, [http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/oct/21/former-environment-agency-head-to-lead-industry-funded-fracking-task-force Former Environment Agency head to lead industry-funded fracking task force], theguardian.com, 21 October 2014 13.51 BST, accessed same day </ref> The group which received some £650,000 from the fracking firms, claimed it would 'assess the existing evidence, ask for new contributions and lead a national conversation' surrounding fracking, providing 'impartial opinions on the impacts, good and bad, that the exploitation of shale gas will have on the UK'.
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In practice, the group has authored a series of reports that have recommended expansion of the shale industry in the UK. Lobbying firm [[Edelman]] manages the Task Force's Secretariat. The group has been criticised as yet another cog in the fracking industry's efforts to manufacture 'expert' consensus on the practice of fracking.
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===Special meeting with energy minister on oil and gas policy ahead of May 2018 shale gas roundtable===
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Government records show that energy minister Claire Perry met with Cuadrilla 'to discuss oil and gas policy' in the run-up to her May 2018 roundtable with the fracking industry, which took place just hours before she gave evidence to a committee of MPs on the Conservative government's proposed changes to relax the rules on shale gas development in the UK. <ref> Ministerial disclosures Claire Perry 2018-04-19 </ref>
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A 'reconstructed' attendee list was released under the freedom of information act to North Yorkshire resident Jonathan Bales following an internal review of the [[Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy]]'s initial almost completely redacted FOI response.  <ref> What do they Know?, [https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/shale_gas_round_table#incoming-1214895 Shale Gas Round Table: internal review of Freedom of Information request to Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy], 24 July 2018 </ref>
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Oil and gas companies at the roundtable included:
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*[[Aurora Energy]], [[BP]], [[Cuadrilla]], [[IGas]], [[Ineos]], [[Third Energy]] and lobby group [[UK Onshore Oil and Gas]].
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*Service companies: [[Ground Gas Solutions]], [[Marriott Drilling]], [[Onshore Energy Service Group]], [[Zetland Group]].
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*Investors and fund managers: [[Riverstone]] (a major partner in Cuadrilla), [[Kerogen]] (investor in IGas), [[Global Natural Resource Investments]] (formerly part of Barclays which invested in Third Energy), [[KKR]], [[JP Morgan]].
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Other industries and organisations: [[Chemical Industries Association]] chemical company [[SABIC]], [[Coalfield Regeneration Trust]], [[Engineering Employers’ Federation]], [[GMB]]. <ref> Ruth Hayhurst, [https://drillordrop.com/2018/10/22/what-government-told-the-shale-gas-industry-about-success-regulation-jobs-and-support/ What government told the shale gas industry about success, regulation, jobs and support], Drill or Drop, 22 October 2018, accessed same day. </ref>
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===Sponsorship and advertising in schools and sports clubs===
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[[File:Cuadrilla schools greenwash.jpg|thumb|November 2017 Cuadrilla magazine distributed to local residents: ''Source: Claire Stephenson on Twitter'']] A key prong of Cuadrilla's strategy to win over local communities in the areas where it operates has been by sponsoring schools and local sports activities. Most recently this has included controversial sponsorship of the 2017 Gazette Education Awards, specifically the category award for 'top headteacher' on the Fylde coast according to a magazine distributed to local residents (''see righthand image'') and the local press. <ref>[The Education Awards are back!]- ''Blackpool Gazette'', accessed 7 November 2017 </ref>
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Cuadrilla's own website sports a glossy image of young teens in school uniforms with Cuadrilla boss Francis Egan handing them trophies as part of their prize for the 'Young Engineers Competition' in Lancashire. The firm has sponsored these £12,000 awards for the past five years: the aim, it says, is 'to improve STEM facilities within schools and 'foster the engineers of the future'. Cuadrilla argues that: 'Creating new skills and jobs is one of our top priorities as we aim to meet the challenge of supplying cost-effective, secure and safe energy for the future.
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The website also details its sports donations:
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:We are also delighted to be sponsoring the AFC Fylde Community Foundation’s ‘Train Like A Pro’ football development programme for 240 young people in Lancashire opportunity to experience what it’s like to be a professional athlete, while gaining vital life skills. The programme works with 12 local partners to select young people from across Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre to take part in the initiative, which has been designed to provide equal and inclusive access to sports and enrichment programmes to children from disadvantaged backgrounds. <ref> Cuadrilla, [https://cuadrillaresources.com/our-community/donations/ Donations], Cuadrilla website,undated, accessed 7 November 2017 </ref>
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The Train like a Pro programme was gifted £5000 according to Cuadrilla's community donations list; the AFC Fylde Club was also given wider sponsorship of £17,600 in 2016. <ref> [https://cuadrillaresources.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/2016-Cuadrilla-donations-and-sponsorship-register.pdf Cuadrilla donations and sponsorship], accessed 7 November 2017 </ref>
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==Key lobbying firms and consultants==
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{{#ev:youtube|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toTLr2yIJ5E|450|right|'''"Meet the Frackers: a Spinwatch lobbying tour"'''}} Since 2011, Cuadrilla has employed a raft of lobbying, PR and planning consultants to help it persuade politicians and local communities to accept its shale gas explorations.  Learn more about the key players by watching our video.
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====[[PPS]]====
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Lobbyists and planning consultants PPS started working with Cuadrilla in early 2011, representing both its Cuadrilla Bowland Ltd and Cuadrilla Balcombe Ltd subsidiaries. In the early years  [[Paul Kelly]] and [[Nick Sutcliffe]] were communications consultants and directors at PPS; Sutcliffe was also a local politician for Guildford District Council.  
  
The firm employs 'some 70 staff in the UK both directly employed and through contractors, mostly based at the well sites. The main contracting partner in the UK is [[PR Marriott Drilling]] Ltd based in Chesterfield, which has over 60 years of drilling experience in Britain'.
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In 2012 PPS produced a brochure for Cuadrilla, titled ''Summer 2012 Exploring For Natural Gas: Cuadrilla Resources is exploring for natural gas in Lancashire'' which the [[Advertising Standards Authority]] found contained misleading and exaggerated claims that breached CAP code. <ref>Advertising Standards Authority, [http://www.asa.org.uk/Rulings/Adjudications/2013/4/Cuadrilla-Resources-Ltd/SHP_ADJ_203806.aspx  ASA Adjudication on Cuadrilla Resources Ltd], Rulings, 24 April 2013, acc 27 March 2014 </ref> This was despite PPS' proclaimed communication strategy that since 2011 it 'has focused on making Cuadrilla and its operations as transparent as possible so that the government, media and opinion-formers could gain trust in the company’s corporate governance and technology'.
  
In June 2011 Cuadrilla suspended its shale gas test drilling of wells at Preese Hall, Lancashire after an report found it was 'highly probable' that hydraulic fracturing - fracking - had triggered earth tremors. <ref> [http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-lancashire-15550458 Fracking tests near Blackpool 'likely cause' of tremors], BBC News, November 2011 </ref>
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====[[Hanover Communications]]====
  
==Censure by the Advertising Standards Authority==
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Cuadrilla has used this influential lobbying agency led by [[Charles Lewington]] since March 2013. <ref> APPC Register, March 2013-May 2013 quarter </ref> In February 2014 Lewington was spotted socialising with the climate-denying Tory environment secretary [[Owen Paterson]] and former energy minister [[Charles Hendry]] at the Intercontinental Hotel bar in Park Lane, London. <ref> [http://socialistworker.co.uk/art/37354/Lobbyists+are+unconvincing+over+the+minister+for+fracking Lobbyists are unconvincing over the minister for fracking], ''Socialist Worker'', The Troublemaker, 4 Feb 2014, acc 24 June 2014 </ref>
In 2012 lobbyists [[PPS]] produced a brochure for Cuadrilla, titled "Summer 2012 Exploring For Natural Gas Cuadrilla Resources is exploring for natural gas in Lancashire" which the [[Advertising Standards Authority]] found contained claims that partially breached CAP Code (Edition 12) rules 3.1 and 3.3 (Misleading advertising) and 3.11 (Exaggeration). <ref>Advertising Standards Authority, [http://www.asa.org.uk/Rulings/Adjudications/2013/4/Cuadrilla-Resources-Ltd/SHP_ADJ_203806.aspx  ASA Adjudication on Cuadrilla Resources Ltd], Rulings, 24 April 2013, acc 27 March 2014 </ref>
 
  
This was despite PPS' proclaimed communication strategy that since 2011 'has focused on making Cuadrilla and its operations as transparent as possible so that the government, media and opinion-formers could gain trust in the company’s corporate governance and technology'.
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The official UK government registrar for lobbying shows Hanover as having recorded ministerial contact for Cuadrilla as a client for all quarters since April 2015 to the quarter ending March 2017. <ref> [https://registerofconsultantlobbyists.force.com/CLR_Client_Profile?Id=a082400000CyYKwAAN Office of the Registrar for Consultant Lobbyists], UK.gov, last accessed 28 June 2017 </ref>
  
==Successful appeal against Lancashire council refusal==
+
====[[Westbourne Communications]]====
In July 2013 Cuadrilla announced it would apply for planning consent to start fracking on new sites in the Fylde area of Lancashire. <ref> Terry McCallister, [http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/jul/05/cuadrilla-fracking-expansion?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487 Cuadrilla announces major fracking expansion in UK], ''The Guardian'', Friday 5 July 2013 18.14 BST </ref> In May and June 2014 it submitted applications to frack at sites Preston New Road near Blackpool in the Northwest and at nearby Roseacre Wood.
 
  
A year later, in June 2015, Cuadrilla's plans were rejected by members of [[Lancashire County Council]]'s development control committee. The company appealed. Conservative ministers subsequently gave themselves new powers in late 2015 to override local councils' planning decisions. On October 2016, the new communities and planning secretary [[Sajid Javid]] ruled to uphold the appeal, paving the way for shale gas production at Preston New Road next year.
+
Westbourne, run by Conservative peer Lord [[James Bethell]], began working on the Cuadrilla account in late 2013. <ref> APPC Register, quarter December 2013-February 2014 </ref>
  
==Financial losses==
+
In June 2015, Westbourne was forced to deny it had set up a pro-fracking '[[astroturf]]' group on behalf of Cuadrilla. Press releases featured in the mainstream media showed eight students holding a 'Students for Shale' banner on the steps of Lancashire Country Council, ahead of the councils' debate on whether to allow fracking in the region.
In the year to December 2015 Cuadrilla posted a loss of £17.67 million.
 
  
==Constituencies including Cuadrilla licences==
+
The ''Morning Star'' criticised these pro-shale geology students for having vested interests in fracking given they were hoping to get jobs in the industry. One student also attended [[Blackpool and Fylde College]], a designated national training centre for the onshore gas sector since 2014, supported by [[Cuadrilla]] and partner energy giant [[Centrica]].
*Barnsley East – [[Michael Dugher]], MP
 
*Beverley and Holderness – [[Graham Stuart]]
 
*Don Valley – [[Caroline Flint]], MP (Labour)
 
*Doncaster Central – [[Rosie Winterton]]
 
*Doncaster North – [[Ed Miliband]]
 
*Wentworth and Dearne – [[John Healey]]
 
*East Yorkshire – [[Greg Knight]]
 
*Fylde – [[Mark Menzies]]
 
*Haltemprice and Howden – [[David Davis]]
 
*Scarborough and Whitby – [[Robert Goodwill]]
 
*Selby and Ainsty – [[Nigel Adams]]
 
*York Outer – [[Julian Sturdy]]
 
*Thirsk and Malton – [[Kevin Hollinrake]], MP (Conservative)
 
  
==People==
+
Westbourne account director, [[Maurice Cousins]], denied deliberately using Lancashire geology students to try to show positive public support for fracking. He said: 'I do not understand what the issue is. We are transparent and not misleading. The students are within their rights to their opinions'. Cousins also accused the newspaper of 'harassing' students.<ref name="SH"> Lamiat Sabin and Solomon Hughes [http://morningstaronline.co.uk/a-eb8b-Fracking-Fakes#.VYvSIxNVikp Shady shale lobbyists accused of setting up sham grassroots group supporting drilling] ''Morning Star'', 24 June 2015, accessed 25 June 2015.</ref>  
===Management team===
 
*[[Francis Egan]] - chief executive
 
*[[Matt Lambert]] - director of government and public affairs since 2013 to present. Has previously worked for [[Betfair]], [[Microsoft]], lobbyists [[Grayling]] and was a speechwriter and researcher for [[Liberal Democrats]] in the 1980s <ref> [https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-lambert-6213221?authType=name&authToken=SC6t&trk=prof-sb-browse_map-name Matt Lambert], LinkedIn, accessed 9 February 2016 </ref>
 
*[[Andrew Quarles Van Ufford]]
 
*[[Andrew Price]]
 
*[[Eric Vaughan]] - CEO, previously chief technology Officer (circa 2012), 'head of well development' 2015
 
*[[Leon Jennings]] - health, safety and environment director Cuadrilla
 
*[[Ken Lowe]] - Water management (circa 2012)
 
*[[Huw Clarke]] - Exploration geologist, joined Cuadrilla in 2009. Senior well site geologist for Cuadrilla’s Bowland shale operations and conducted the geological operations for the Preese Hall 1 shale gas discovery well. Speaker at the March 2014 Shale Gas conference in London. <ref> [http://www.shaleuk.com/speaker/huw-clarke/ Huw Clarke], Shale UK 2014, accessed 4 September 2014 </ref>
 
*[[Jacqui Reid]], communications and public affairs manager at Cuadrilla Resources Ltd
 
*[[Sam Schofield]], Lancashire communications and public affairs manager
 
  
===Former executives===
+
Westbourne also ran the [[North West Energy Task Force]] (NWETF), a ‘local’ lobby group set up by Centrica and Cuadrilla to push the business case for fracking in Lancashire.   Emails released by [[Defra]] under freedom of information rules reveal that in May 2014 an unnamed Westbourne staffer wrote to [[Guy Robinson]], a special adviser to the then environment secretary [[Owen Paterson]], to request a meeting on ‘shale gas and farming’.  The lobbyist, whose name is redacted but mentions NWETF is a client, was ‘working on a research paper exploring the potential benefits of shale gas developments to farmers’. He/she wanted ‘to discuss some of the findings’ over ‘some lunch or a brief coffee’ ahead of a launch event. <ref> Melissa Jones and Andy Rowell, [http://www.spinwatch.org/index.php/issues/climate/item/5765-access-all-areas-frackers-lobbyists-and-the-revolving-door Access all areas: Westminster's (vast) fracking lobby exposed], 29 April 2015. </ref>  
*[[Tony Carruthers]] - commercial director Cuadrilla Resources for 3.5 years from April 2012 – September 2015. Before that was commercial manager East Africa for [[Tullow Oil]] from September 2010 – March 2012. Now a director of [[Forty Green Energy]] Ltd.<ref> [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonycarruthers?authType=name&authToken=N4ER&trk=prof-sb-browse_map-name Tony Carruthers], LinkedIn profile, accessed 9 Feb 2016 </ref>
 
  
===Directors of the Board===
+
Cuadrilla is also a core sponsor of a subsequent pro-shale group [[Lancashire for Shale]], accused by local campaigners as another front group and shill for the industry. Its steering group includes most of the steering group listed on the now-mothballed NWETF.
*[[Mark Miller]] - Director, Cuadrilla Resources; Director and VP of Cuadrilla Resource Holdings. From the USA, he founded and ran [[Eastern Reservoir Service]] until 2005.
 
*[[Dennis Carlton]] - Director, Cuadrilla Resources; Director, Cuadrilla Resource Holdings. From the USA, he founded and ran [[Evergreen Resources]] until 2004. He led the successful development of coal bed methane in Colorado; his exploits appear in [[Gasland]]
 
*[[Peter Turner]] Director, Cuadrilla Resources, also manages its exploration activities in mainland Europe. Turner is a former academic who headed the [[Petroleum Geosciences Unit]] at the [[University of Birmingham]]. He holds a B.Sc, a PhD and an honory D.Sc in Geology and has written over 150 publications and books. Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and the Americas.
 
  
===Cuadrilla Resource Holdings non-executive directors===
+
====[[Bell Pottinger Public Affairs]]====
  
*[[Anthony Carruthers]] (appointed 19 April 2012)
+
Bell Pottinger provided public affairs advice to Cuadrilla from May 2013 until February 2014. During this time one of its PR executives, [[Mark Linder]], was also responsible for Cuadrilla's corporate development. <ref> Tom Bawden, [http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/green-living/cuadrilla-pr-man-admits-george-osbornes-shale-gas-revolution-wont-cut-energy-bills-8656246.html Cuadrilla PR man admits George Osborne's shale gas revolution won’t cut energy bills], 20 August 2013 </ref>  In August 2013 at the height of the Balcombe protests, anti-fracking protestors made national headlines by supergluing themselves to Bell Pottinger's London headquarters. <ref> ref  News articles here </ref>BPPA appears to have lost the account after February 2014, although continued to lobby on behalf of Cuadrilla's Lancashire licence part-owner Centrica, whose account it had handled for several years.
*[[Francis Egan]] (appointed 17 July 2012)
 
*[[Roy Franklin]] (appointed 7 February 2012
 
*[[Neville Lancaster]] Jr
 
*[[Haroun Van Hovell Tot Westerflier]] - a managing director of Riverstone Holdings
 
*[[Roy Franklin]]  
 
*[[Philip Arnall]] (appointed 3 February 2014)
 
*[[Ivor Orchard]] (appointed 3 February 2014)
 
*[[Andrew Quarles Van Ufford]] (appointed May 2013) <ref> [http://companycheck.co.uk/company/07147040/CUADRILLA-RESOURCES-HOLDINGS-LIMITED/directors-shareholders CUADRILLA RESOURCES HOLDINGS LIMITED 07147040], Companycheck, acc 27 March 2014 </ref>
 
  
*25/05/2011 New Company Secretary Mr A.C. Price appointed
+
The ongoing relationship with Centrica prompted anti-fracking campaigners to target Bell's London offices once again in April 2017, where a group dressed in animal masks occupied the firm's lobby to 'expose' what they call the agency's "continual support for fracking" as part of a two-week action aimed at companies involved in the fracking supply chain. 
 +
Reclaim the Power activist Ash Hewitson told ''PR Week'' companies like Bell Pottinger were 'crucial' for the fracking industry. 'Through their partnership with Cuadrilla and Centrica, they work to further the fracking agenda and suppress the stories of resistance and opposition on the ground,' he said. The group threw leaves, spread manure and sprayed 'squid ink' on the windows. <ref>Robert Smith , [http://www.prweek.com/article/1430106/anti-fracking-protesters-throw-leaves-spread-manure-bell-pottinger-lobby A group of anti-fracking protesters dressed in animal masks],  ''PR Week'',  10 April 2017, accessed 21 August 2017 </ref>
  
 +
====[[Lexington Communications]]====
  
====Former directors====
+
Lexington has listed Cuadrilla as a client since September-November 2015 and appears on the APPC Register as recently as 31 May 2017. <ref> APPC Register for 1st March 2017 - 31st May 2017 </ref> The agency handles the energy company's 'Community Liaison Group' and 'community information line'.  [[IGas]], another major fracking firm, has also been a registered client with Lexington. <ref> Watch Spinwatch's lowdown on fracking lobbyists,  [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toTLr2yIJ5E 'Meet the Frackers'], produced January 2017. </ref>
*[[John Browne]] - former Cuadrilla chairman, and managing partner of [[Riverstone Holdings]], the venture capital firm that backs it
 
  
*[[Allan Campbell]] (left the board 5 February 2014)  | [[Anthony Kelly]] (left 5 February 2014) | [[Mark Miller]] (left 29 April 2013) | [[Dennis Carlton]] (27 February 2013)
+
====[[Portland Communications]]====
 +
Cuadrilla was a registered client with Portland from March-May 2015 until June-August 2016.
  
*07/02/2012 Mr [[M.P. Tonkin]] left the board
+
==Constituencies including Cuadrilla licences==
*ALDLEX LIMITED resigned as Company Secretary 24 December 2012
+
Cuadrilla was awarded eight shale licences across 18 licence blocks by the  [[Oil and Gas Authority]] under the 14th licensing round in 2015. The constituencies covering these licensed areas include:
  
==Lobbying firms and consultants==
+
*Barnsley East – [[Michael Dugher]], ''Labour MP''
===2012-2016===
+
*Beverley and Holderness – [[Graham Stuart]], ''Conservative MP''
*[[Bell Pottinger Public Affairs]] - [[Mark Linder]] <ref> Tom Bawden, [http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/green-living/cuadrilla-pr-man-admits-george-osbornes-shale-gas-revolution-wont-cut-energy-bills-8656246.html Cuadrilla PR man admits George Osborne's shale gas revolution won’t cut energy bills], 20 August 2013 </ref>. However BPPA appears to have lost the account after February 2014.
+
*Don Valley – [[Caroline Flint]], ''Labour MP''
 
+
*Doncaster Central – [[Rosie Winterton]], ''Labour MP''
*[[PPS]] - the planning lobbyist specialists have retained Cuadrilla as a client since 2011 <ref>  APPC Register Entry for 1 Dec 2011 to 29 Feb 2012 </ref> when it managed the firm's website and produced a brochure for Cuadrilla, titled "Summer 2012 Exploring For Natural Gas Cuadrilla Resources is exploring for natural gas in Lancashire" that the ASA later ruled was partially misleading.
+
*Doncaster North – [[Ed Miliband]], ''Labour MP''
 +
*Wentworth and Dearne – [[John Healey]], ''Labour MP''
 +
*East Yorkshire – [[Greg Knight]], ''Conservative MP''
 +
*Fylde – [[Mark Menzies]], ''Conservative MP''
 +
*Haltemprice and Howden – [[David Davis]], ''Conservative MP''
 +
*Scarborough and Whitby – [[Robert Goodwill]], ''Conservative MP''
 +
*Selby and Ainsty – [[Nigel Adams]], ''Conservative MP''
 +
*York Outer – [[Julian Sturdy]], ''Conservative MP''
 +
*Thirsk and Malton – [[Kevin Hollinrake]], ''Conservative MP''
  
*[[Hanover Communications]] from March 2014 onwards. <ref> Register for 1st March 2014 - 31st May 2014 </ref>. Hanover's [[Charles Lewington]] was spotted socialising with climate sceptic Tory environment secretary [[Owen Paterson]] and former energy minister [[Charles Hendry]] at the Intercontinental Hotel bar in Park Lane, London in February 2014. <ref> [http://socialistworker.co.uk/art/37354/Lobbyists+are+unconvincing+over+the+minister+for+fracking Lobbyists are unconvincing over the minister for fracking], ''Socialist Worker'', The Troublemaker, 4 Feb 2014, acc 24 June 2014 </ref>
+
==People==
*[[Lexington Communications]] has provided UK PA consultancy services to Cuadrilla since September 2015<ref> [http://www.appc.org.uk/members/register/register-profile/?company=Westbourne%20Communications Register 1st September 2014 - 30th November 2014] ''APPC'', accessed 23 February 2015 </ref> (it has had Igas Energy as a client for several years prior)
+
===Active (as of January 2017)===
*[[Portland Communications]] from 2015
+
[[Image:Egan-crop YouTube-video Aug2013.png|thumb|right|250px|Francis Egan, Cuadrilla CEO]]
*[[Westbourne Communications]] has provided UK PA consultancy services to [[Cuadrilla Bowland]] from December 2013-<ref> [http://www.appc.org.uk/members/register/register-profile/?company=Westbourne%20Communications Register 1st September 2014 - 30th November 2014] ''APPC'', accessed 23 February 2015 </ref>
+
*[[Francis Egan]] - ''Chief executive'', appointed in December 2012.
  
===Consultants===
+
*[[Matt Lambert]] - ''Director of government and public affairs'', appointed in 2013. Has previously worked for [[Betfair]], [[Microsoft]], lobbyists [[Grayling]] and was a speechwriter and researcher for [[Liberal Democrats]] in the 1980s.<ref> [https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-lambert-6213221?authType=name&authToken=SC6t&trk=prof-sb-browse_map-name Matt Lambert], LinkedIn, accessed 9 February 2016 </ref>
*[[Paul Kelly]] - communications consultant and director of PPS Group
+
*[[Roy Franklin]] - ''Director'', appointed in January 2012.
*[[Nick Sutcliffe]] - communications consultant and director of PPS Group. Sutcliffe is also politician for Guildford District Council (Conservative Councillor for Ash South & Tongham Ward).
+
*[[Ken Lowe]] - ''Water manager'', appointed in 2012.
 +
*[[Huw Clarke]] - ''Senior Geoscientist'', appointed in July 2009. Conducted the geological operations for the Preese Hall 1 shale gas discovery well. Speaker at the March 2014 Shale Gas conference in London. <ref> [http://www.shaleuk.com/speaker/huw-clarke/ Huw Clarke], Shale UK 2014, accessed 4 September 2014 </ref>
 +
*[[Jacqui Reid]] - ''Head of corporate communications'', appointed in 2013. <ref> [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquireid Jacqui Reid], ''Linked In'', accessed 26 January 2017. </ref>
 +
*[[Sam Schofield]] - ''Lancashire communications and public affairs manager'', appointed in 2014. Previously worked for the lobbying firm [[PPS]].
 +
*[[Neville Lancaster]] Jr - ''Director'', appointed in May 2010.
 +
*[[Philip Arnall]] - ''Director'', appointed in February 2014.
 +
*[[Ivor Orchard]] - ''Director'', appointed in February 2014.
 +
*[[Alfredo Marti]] - ''Director'', appointed in February 2014.
 +
*[[Robin Duggan]] - ''Director'', appointed in April 2015.
 +
*[[Rebecca Henworth]] - ''Company secretary'', appointed in September 2015.
 +
*[[Rowland Wright]], external affairs director circa 2019
 +
===Former===
 +
*[[Lord Browne]] - ''Chairman'', resigned in March 2015. Managing partner of [[Riverstone Holdings]], the venture capital firm that backs it. Now chairman of [[L1 Energy]], an oil and gas firm backed by Russian billionaire [[Mikhail Fridman]].
 +
*[[Andrew Quarles Van Ufford]] - ''Director'', appointed in May 2013, resigned 5 May 2017 (held role as exploration director). Now South Asset/Geoscience Manager at [[Endeavour Energy Resources]] in Texas, United States
 +
*[[Mark Lappin]] - technical director from 2017 until February 2019, now chairman at [[Cluff Natural Resources]]
 +
*[[Mark Miller]] - ''Director and VP'', appointed in December 2012 and resigned in February 2013. From the USA, he founded and ran [[Eastern Reservoir Service]] until 2005.
 +
*[[Peter Turner]] - ''Company secretary & director'', appointed January 2008 and resigned February 2013. Managed its exploration activities in mainland Europe. Turner is a former academic who headed the [[Petroleum Geosciences Unit]] at the [[University of Birmingham]]. He holds a B.Sc, a PhD and an honorary D.Sc in Geology and has written over 150 publications and books. Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and the Americas.
 +
*[[Anthony Carruthers]] - ''Commercial director'', appointed in April 2012 and resigned in August 2015. Previously commercial manager East Africa for [[Tullow Oil]] from September 2010 – March 2012. Now a director of [[Forty Green Energy]] Ltd.<ref> [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonycarruthers?authType=name&authToken=N4ER&trk=prof-sb-browse_map-name Tony Carruthers], LinkedIn profile, accessed 9 Feb 2016 </ref>
 +
*[[Dennis Carlton]] - ''Director'', appointed in March 2009 and resigned in February 2013. From the USA, he founded and ran [[Evergreen Resources]] until 2004. He led the successful development of coal bed methane in Colorado; his exploits appear in [[Gasland]].
 +
*[[Eric Vaughan]] - ''Chief operations officer'', appointed in June 2008 and resigned in August 2015. Previously chief technology Officer and 'head of well development' 2015.
 +
*[[Leon Jennings]] - health, safety and environment director Cuadrilla
 +
*[[Andrew Price]] - ''Director'', appointed in April 2010 and resigned in September 2015.
 +
*[[Allan Campbell]] - ''Director'', appointed in February 2010 and resigned in February 2014.
 +
*[[Anthony Kelly]] - ''Director'', appointed in February 2010 and resigned in February 2014.
 +
*[[Hubert Ashton]] - ''Director'', appointed in February 2008 and resigned December of the same year.
 +
*[[Philip Tonkin]] - ''Director'', appointed in February 2010 and resigned in January 2012.
 +
*[[Christopher Cornelius]] - ''Director'', appointed in February 2010 and resigned in November 2010.
 +
*[[Haroun Van Hovell Tot Westerflier]] - ''Director'', appointed in February 2010 and resigned in December 2014. Current managing director of Riverstone Holdings. <ref> [http://companycheck.co.uk/company/07147040/CUADRILLA-RESOURCES-HOLDINGS-LIMITED/directors-shareholders CUADRILLA RESOURCES HOLDINGS LIMITED 07147040], ''Companycheck'', accessed 27 March 2014. </ref>
 +
*[[Gregory Beard]] - ''Director'', appointed in February 2010 and resigned in May of the same year.
 +
*'ALDEX Ltd' - ''Company Secretary'', appointed in February 2009 and resigned in December 2012.
  
==Law firms==
+
==Other==
 +
===Law firms===
 
[[Peachy & Co LLP]] was appointed to act for Cuadrilla in the UK from July 2008, as the firm has no in-house legal resource in the UK. This role has involved acting for the oil and gas firm:
 
[[Peachy & Co LLP]] was appointed to act for Cuadrilla in the UK from July 2008, as the firm has no in-house legal resource in the UK. This role has involved acting for the oil and gas firm:
  
*in February 2010 on a group restructuring and a $58m capital investment led by Riverstone/[[Carlyle Global Energy]] and [[Power Funds]] managed by [[Riverstone Holdings]] LLC and [[AJ Lucas Group]] Ltd, a company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange.  
+
*in February 2010 on a group restructuring and a $58m capital investment led by Riverstone/[[Carlyle Global Energy]] and [[Power Funds]] managed by [[Riverstone Holdings]] LLC and [[AJ Lucas Group]] Ltd, a company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange.  
  
 
*in December 2011 on Cuadrilla's acquisition of a significant equity participation in a Hungarian O&G project, including successfully fracking a test well. Peachey's website reported that 'Further equity interests will be acquired following further seismic work and the drilling of a further exploratory well during 2012'.
 
*in December 2011 on Cuadrilla's acquisition of a significant equity participation in a Hungarian O&G project, including successfully fracking a test well. Peachey's website reported that 'Further equity interests will be acquired following further seismic work and the drilling of a further exploratory well during 2012'.
Line 107: Line 230:
  
 
In March 2013 ''The Lawyer'' magazine reported that former [[Slaughter and May]] lawyer [[Hubert Ashton]], now a partner at Peachey, admitted that the past few months of exploratory digging, questions in the House and earthquakes have been “interesting”. <ref> Matt Byrne, [http://www.thelawyer.com/analysis/market-analysis/analysis-on-bracewell-and-giuliani-and-the-shale-gas-market-the-fracking-truth/3001826.article Analysis on Bracewell & Giuliani and the shale gas market: The fracking truth], ''The Lawyer'', 4 March 2013 </ref>
 
In March 2013 ''The Lawyer'' magazine reported that former [[Slaughter and May]] lawyer [[Hubert Ashton]], now a partner at Peachey, admitted that the past few months of exploratory digging, questions in the House and earthquakes have been “interesting”. <ref> Matt Byrne, [http://www.thelawyer.com/analysis/market-analysis/analysis-on-bracewell-and-giuliani-and-the-shale-gas-market-the-fracking-truth/3001826.article Analysis on Bracewell & Giuliani and the shale gas market: The fracking truth], ''The Lawyer'', 4 March 2013 </ref>
 
+
===Auditors and bankers===
==Auditors and bankers==
 
 
*[[KPMG]]
 
*[[KPMG]]
 
*[[HSBC]]
 
*[[HSBC]]
Line 115: Line 237:
 
*[[All-Party Parliamentary Group on Unconventional Oil and Gas]] which received £3000 from Cuadrilla, registered June 2013 <ref> Register of All-Party Groups (As at 7 June 2013), parliament.co.uk </ref> and a further £1,916 from Cuadrilla in November 2015
 
*[[All-Party Parliamentary Group on Unconventional Oil and Gas]] which received £3000 from Cuadrilla, registered June 2013 <ref> Register of All-Party Groups (As at 7 June 2013), parliament.co.uk </ref> and a further £1,916 from Cuadrilla in November 2015
 
*[[Institute of Directors]] (IOD) - Cuadrilla sponsored a publication by IOD on the prospects for UK shale gas, published in May 2013
 
*[[Institute of Directors]] (IOD) - Cuadrilla sponsored a publication by IOD on the prospects for UK shale gas, published in May 2013
*[[Shale Gas Europe]] - Cuadrilla is listed as a supporter of this trade lobby group, which is run by lobbyists [[FTI Consulting]]
+
*[[Shale Gas Europe]] - Cuadrilla is listed as a supporter of this now defunct trade lobby group, run by lobbyists [[FTI Consulting]] until 2018
 
*[[Task Force on Shale Gas]] (UK) - listed as a funder of this 'independent' group, whose secretariat is lobbying and PR company [[Edelman]]
 
*[[Task Force on Shale Gas]] (UK) - listed as a funder of this 'independent' group, whose secretariat is lobbying and PR company [[Edelman]]
 +
*[[North West Energy Task Force]] - Cuadrilla is the lead sponsor.
 +
*[[Lancashire for Shale]] - Cuadrilla is the lead sponsor.
  
 
==Contact details==
 
==Contact details==
:Website: http://www.cuadrillaresources.com/
+
*'''Website'''
:Address:
+
:http://www.cuadrillaresources.com/
 +
 
 +
*'''Address''':
 
:Cuadrilla Resources Ltd
 
:Cuadrilla Resources Ltd
:Stowe Court
+
:Cuadrilla House, Unit 6 Sceptre Court
:Stowe Street
+
:Sceptre Way, Bamber Bridge
:Lichfield
+
:Preston
:Staffordshire WS13 6AQ
+
:PR5 6AW
  
 
==Resources==
 
==Resources==
 
See: [[Fracking lobbying firms]]
 
See: [[Fracking lobbying firms]]
 +
See: [[Fracking Spads]]
  
See: [[Fracking Spads]]
+
====Articles====
 +
*Melissa Jones and Russell Scott, [http://www.spinwatch.org/index.php/issues/climate/item/5982-third-environmental-permit-breach-this-year-by-cuadrilla-at-lancs-fracking-site Third environmental permit breach this year by Cuadrilla at Lancs fracking site], ''Spinwatch'', 26 October 2017
 +
*Melissa Jones and Russell Scott, [http://www.spinwatch.org/index.php/issues/climate/item/5983-update-cuadrilla-environmental-breaches-tally-rises-to-five-at-preston-new-road Update: Cuadrilla environmental breaches tally rises to five this year at Preston New Road], ''Spinwatch'', 3 November 2017
 
*Andy Rowell, [http://www.spinwatch.org/index.php/issues/climate/item/5891-emails-reveal-glasgow-university-academics-close-links-to-fracking-industry Emails reveal Glasgow University academics' close links to fracking industry], ''Spinwatch'', 24 August 2016  
 
*Andy Rowell, [http://www.spinwatch.org/index.php/issues/climate/item/5891-emails-reveal-glasgow-university-academics-close-links-to-fracking-industry Emails reveal Glasgow University academics' close links to fracking industry], ''Spinwatch'', 24 August 2016  
 
*Melissa Jones and Andy Rowell, [http://www.spinwatch.org/index.php/issues/climate/item/5765-access-all-areas-frackers-lobbyists-and-the-revolving-door Access all areas: Westminster's (vast) fracking lobby exposed], 29 April 2015.
 
*Melissa Jones and Andy Rowell, [http://www.spinwatch.org/index.php/issues/climate/item/5765-access-all-areas-frackers-lobbyists-and-the-revolving-door Access all areas: Westminster's (vast) fracking lobby exposed], 29 April 2015.
 
*James Cusick, [http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/how-lobbying-works--and-why-this-bill-wont-change-a-fracking-thing-8773474.html How lobbying works – and why this Bill won’t change a fracking thing], The Independent, 18 August 2013
 
*James Cusick, [http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/how-lobbying-works--and-why-this-bill-wont-change-a-fracking-thing-8773474.html How lobbying works – and why this Bill won’t change a fracking thing], The Independent, 18 August 2013
*Fiona Harvey, [http://www.powerbase.info/index.php?title=Cuadrilla_Resources&action=edit Lord Browne promises to invest 'whatever it takes' in UK fracking], guardian.co.uk, 12 March 2013 15.00 GMT
+
*Robin McKie, [http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/jul/07/fracking-shale-gas-energy-lancashire Will fracking in Lancashire's green hills solve Britain's energy crisis?], ''The Observer'', Sunday 7 July 2013
 
*Terry McCallister, [http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/jul/05/cuadrilla-fracking-expansion?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487 Cuadrilla announces major fracking expansion in UK], ''The Guardian'', Friday 5 July 2013 18.14 BST
 
*Terry McCallister, [http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/jul/05/cuadrilla-fracking-expansion?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487 Cuadrilla announces major fracking expansion in UK], ''The Guardian'', Friday 5 July 2013 18.14 BST
*Robin McKie, [http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/jul/07/fracking-shale-gas-energy-lancashire Will fracking in Lancashire's green hills solve Britain's energy crisis?], ''The Observer'', Sunday 7 July 2013
+
*Fiona Harvey, [http://www.powerbase.info/index.php?title=Cuadrilla_Resources&action=edit Lord Browne promises to invest 'whatever it takes' in UK fracking], guardian.co.uk, 12 March 2013 15.00 GMT
*Video: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TBMGqJThRU We will stick to fracking plan, says Cuadrilla boss], ''Channel4 News'', YouTube
+
 
 +
====Videos====
 +
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toTLr2yIJ5E Meet the Frackers: a Spinwatch lobbying tour], ''Spinwatch | YouTube'', 16 January 2017.
 +
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TBMGqJThRU We will stick to fracking plan, says Cuadrilla boss], ''Channel4 News'', YouTube
 
*[https://www.youtube.com/user/cuadrillaresources Cuadrilla YouTube channel], ''YouTube - cuadrillaresources''
 
*[https://www.youtube.com/user/cuadrillaresources Cuadrilla YouTube channel], ''YouTube - cuadrillaresources''
:*Video: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBd28zkID6U Cuadrilla resources- an introduction], ''YouTube - cuadrillaresources'', 25 April 2013
+
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBd28zkID6U Cuadrilla resources- an introduction], ''YouTube - cuadrillaresources'', 25 April 2013
:*Video: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0F0LF88n6w Cuadrilla environmental impact assessment], ''YouTube - cuadrillaresources'', 30 July 2014
+
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0F0LF88n6w Cuadrilla environmental impact assessment], ''YouTube - cuadrillaresources'', 30 July 2014
:*Video: [
+
:'''Public information series''':
 +
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yN-DFB82T_I Hydraulic fracturing], ''YouTube - cuadrillaresources'', 12 February 2014
 +
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrJd2JQVD2E Site lifecycle animation], ''YouTube - cuadrillaresources'', 21 November 2013
 +
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsWVEWFbal4 Our new sites], ''YouTube - cuadrillaresources'', 13 February 2014
 +
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTyYC3II9yk Well design], ''YouTube - cuadrillaresources'', 12 February 2:014
 +
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1PLzXaGNow Surface story], ''YouTube - cuadrillaresources'', 25 November 2013
  
 
==Notes==
 
==Notes==
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<references/>
  
[[Category:Fracking]]
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[[Category:Fracking]][[Category:Fracking Injunctions]]

Latest revision as of 03:12, 19 July 2019

FrackWell.png This article is part of the Spinwatch Fracking Portal and project

Cuadrilla Resources is an energy company set up in 2007 and based in Lancashire. It has pioneered the shale gas industry's efforts to kick-start fracking across the UK, employing a raft of heavyweight lobbyists and enjoying easy access to government ministers.

In the first half of 2018 Cuadrilla drilled two horizontal wells into UK shale rock at its flagship Preston New Road (PNR) site in the parish of Westby-with-Plumptons, in the Fylde, Lancashire.

In May the company submitted an application to the Secretary of State for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy for consent to hydraulically fracture the UK’s first ever horizontal shale gas well at PNR. [1] Cuadrilla received the green light in July, and in October 2018 it began fracking after a seven-year pause.

Cuadrilla currently has eight sites in the Lancashire Bowland shale gas exploration licence area. Only one, Preston New Road, is operational so far, but by January 2019 activities had ground to a halt after a series of tremors occurred during Cuadrilla's first attempted fracks in late 2018. On 11 July, Cuadrilla announced it was preparing to frack again and would remobilise equipment at Preston New Road between now and September, focusing on PNR-2, the second well at the site. 'We have an exciting few months ahead, for all of us,' said chief executive Francis Egan.[2]as a last-ditch effort to convince policymakers to relax safety rules on the government's earthquake tremor rules. [3]

Another well site, at Roseacre Wood near Blackpool, was refused permission by Lancashire councillors. In February 2019 the local government secretary James Brokenshire rejected Cuadrilla’s appeal against councillors' refusal to give the site the go-ahead. [4]

Background

Owners

Parent company Cuadrilla Resources Holdings is a UK-registered company privately owned by its management team (8%) and two investors, the Australian drilling and engineering company AJ Lucas (47%) and Riverstone LLC (45%), which was previously chaired by former BP CEO and former Cuadrilla chairman John Browne. It is backed by Centrica, which in 2013 spent £100m buying a 25 per cent share of Cuadrilla's Lancashire fracking operation and licence.

In 2017 the firm employed 'some 70 staff' in the UK both directly and through contractors, mostly based at the well sites.

Finances

Cuadrilla reported it made a loss of $17.68 million in the year to 31 December 2015, caused in large part by the ongoing delays to get fracking underway at its sites.[5]It subsequently reported a loss of $11.5m in the year to December 2016.

In June 2018 however, Cuadrilla reported its first profit of $5.457m for its annual accounts in the year ending 31 December 2017. This was largely thanks to contributions from Centrica totalling $16.9m. It had little other income, however, just $23,000 in revenue from services for the exploration and appraisal of oil and gas assets, up from $12,000 in 2016. According to these accounts, 'Cuadrilla remains debt free and is financed by its shareholders'.[6]

Following the series of tremors induced by fracking at Preston New Road in October-November 2018, AJ Lucas, which owns 47% of Cuadrilla, saw its share price under come under strong pressure.

Contractors

The main contracting partner in the UK is PR Marriott Drilling Ltd in Chesterfield, which has 'over 60 years of drilling experience in Britain'. [7]

History of fracking

'Earth tremors' in Blackpool 2011-12

Anti-fracking protest at Balcombe in 2013

In November 2011, a damning report commissioned by Cuadrilla revealed the company's own fracking operations at Banks, near Merseyside, were the 'probable' cause of 50 separate earthquake tremors in the Blackpool area from earlier in the year.

The announcement proved controversial for the entire industry, and soon forced the company to stop work after the government implemented a moratorium on fracking while it reviewed the implications of the report. [8] This was later lifted in December 2012, despite mounting public concern. [9]

Balcombe, Sussex protests 2013

Cuadrilla's attempt to resume exploration elsewhere in summer 2013 at Balcombe in Sussex were met by strong protests from local residents and campaign groups. In a significant victory for the anti-fracking lobby and local communities, Cuadrilla announced in October 2013 that it would pull out from its site in Blackpool after the continued disruption made production commercially non-viable. [10]

The battle for Lancashire

Protests outside Lancashire County Hall in Preston 2015

In July 2013, Cuadrilla announced it would divest its focus from West Sussex to the Fylde area of Lancashire. [11] The company's lengthy application process to frack in Lancashire was the subject of much protest, and saw a series of government and lobbying initiatives successfully over-ride local democracy.

In February 2014, the company submitted applications to drill and frack eight shale wells at sites in Preston New Road and at nearby Roseacre Wood, [12]however, these were rejected by members of Lancashire County Council's development control committee in June 2015. [13]The company appealed the decision.

Six months after Lancashire council's refusal, Conservative ministers gave themselves new powers to override local council planning decisions. A leaked letter from July 2015, signed Amber Rudd, Greg Clark and Liz Truss revealed the proposals to remove the decision making powers from the council were tabled very shortly after the council refused permission to Cuadrilla, so that the decision could be reversed. [14] A subsequent public inquiry into Cuadrilla's appeal against the rejected planning applications, held in February - March 2016, saw the determination eventually passed onto the government's communities and planning secretary Greg Clark[15] who was later replaced by Sajid Javid in July 2016.

In October 2016 Javid ruled to uphold the appeal, paving the way for shale gas production at Preston New Road from 2017.[16] The application for the Roseacre Wood site is still undetermined. Cuadrilla began construction of the Preston fracking site in January 2017. [17]

In November 2016, it was revealed that the government deliberately delayed the release of a damning report on fracking until after the decisions on Cuadrilla's applications were taken, thereby favouring the company's appeal in 2015. The report cites significant risks to human health, house prices, tourism and farming caused by the shale gas industry. [18] The government previously released a heavily redacted version of the report, which excluded the risk assessment. [19]

Fighting anti-fracking campaigners

Tina Rothery

Cuadrilla has engaged in efforts to disparage and undermine residential groups and green campaigners who oppose fracking, going so far as to launch a series of legal disputes against individuals who have led local protests.

In March 2014, Green party MP Caroline Lucas faced trial in the High Court after being arrested for wilful obstruction of a highway outside the Cuadrilla site in Balcombe. [20] She was found not guilty a month later. [21]

In June 2016, Cuadrilla launched a lawsuit against prominent anti-fracking campaigner Tina Rothery for £55,000. Alongside the protest group 'the Nanas', Rothery occupied a field near Blackpool being considered for fracking, which the company had rented from a local farmer. [22] She refused to pay the fee, and was then held in contempt of court. In December 2016 however, she was found not guilty and was spared jail and the fine. [23]

Breaching planning laws to 'avoid protests' in cooperation with police

In July 2017 after a month of anti-fracking protests, lock-ons and 'slow walks' at the Preston New Road site, Cuadrilla's drilling rig was delivered overnight 'to avoid protests', in breach of planning permission. This prompted Lancashire county council to warn Cuadrilla it was considering action against it.

Cuadrilla argued it had opted to deliver outside of its permitted hours to 'minimise' the disruption at the site, and claimed it had done so in consultation with the police.[24]

'Chilling' Injunctions against protest at oil and gas sites

Preston New Road protestors breached injunction, rules judge

In June 2018 Cuadrilla was awarded an interim injunction at the High Court in Manchester that covered protest activity against their shale gas exploration operations at the Preston New Road site near Little Plumpton.

At a two-day hearing in early July 2018, campaigners and locals argued that this injunction prevented meaningful protest and was too onerous. However, Judge Mark Pelling QC said the injunction struck the right balance and awarded Cuadrilla and local farmers an extension until 1 June, 2020. The Gazette reported that:

The injunction bans blockade of the entrance and nearby road and suppliers’ sites, slow walking in front of delivery trucks or climbing on vehicles and trespass on the site. It does not prevent people standing on the roadside.[25]

Several weeks later at a 6.5-hour lock-on protest outside Preston New Road on 24 July 2018 six people were arrested for breach of Cuadrilla's injunction.

Three of the six arrested faced trial on 25 June 2019 in Manchester, in what's believed to be the first case of its kind in the UK, for an alleged breach of a protest injunction granted to a UK onshore oil or gas company. Chris Wilson (55), Katrina Lawrie (41) and Lee Walsh (44) denied breaking the injunction in force around the site.

In court, Cuadrilla's lawyers argued that the protesters 'had showed 'reckless intent' to disrupt traffic by locking themselves together at the entrance to Preston New Road fracking site on 24 July last year and were part of a “conspiracy” to break the injunction'.

On 28 June Mark Pelling QC, the same judge who had extended Cuadrilla's injunction in July 2018 until mid-2020, ruled that the three protestors were in contempt of court for taking part in the protest - a charge that carries a two-year maximum prison sentence. No sentence has been set yet, though Pelling has stated he will not be sending them to prison.

The protesters' solicitor Simon Pook said: 'Injunctions such as this have a chilling effect on the right to peaceful protest. Britain has a proud history of protest. It forms the essence of civic society. From the actions of the suffragettes to the ‘Blackpool Two’, civil disobedience has long been exercised as a form of legitimate protest.'[26]

2019 legal case against Cuadrilla to curtail injunctions

In June 2019 Friends of the Earth launched legal proceedings to try to force Cuadrilla to 'substantially reduce' its wide-ranging injunction which restricts anti-fracking protests against its Preston New Road site. An initial hearing on the challenge was held on 28 June at the High Court in Manchester. 'Injunctions such as that granted to Cuadrilla, raise very significant human rights issues and are a sinister attempt to use the law to stop peaceful protest against the fracking industry,' stated the group. [27]

Policing costs

In February 2019 Lancashire’s police and crime commissioner Clive Grunshaw announced that the government would give £4.3m towards the cost of policing anti-fracking protests outside Preston New Road. 'Operation Manilla' outside the Preston New Road site near Blackpool, would cost nearly £11.5m by March 2019, he added. This was an increase on the government's contribution in 2018, when it gave just £1.4m, the minimum allowed under Home Office rules. [28]

Lobbying and spin

Cuadrilla's 'quiet word' with government ministers over waste management regulations

Smith (left), Paterson (centre) and Browne (right)

In March 2014, a Freedom of Information request revealed that former UK environment secretary Owen Paterson convened an 'urgent high-level' meeting for Cuadrilla's former chairman Lord Browne with the chair of the Environment Agency (EA) Lord Smith, and other government executives. The meeting was organised on Browne's behalf in order to challenge waste management regulations that applied to the company's operations, after a series of correspondence that included Cuadrilla's chief executive and former energy minister Michael Fallon.

At Browne's request, Smith offered to fast-track Cuadrilla's consultation for an environmental permit, as well as to intervene in any county council decision that jeopardised Cuadrilla's interests. The meeting also jubilantly discussed the UK's successful lobbying attempts in the EU to defeat attempts to set legally binding environmental regulations for the continent's shale gas industry. [29]

The disclosures, which had been redacted from meeting minutes released by the Environment Agency, showed a conflict of interest, especially given Lord Browne's role as the government's lead non-executive director. Green campaigners subsequently questioned the integrity of the EA.

Sponsoring 'expert' consensus

After stepping down from his EA role Lord Smith went on to head the industry-sponsored Task Force on Shale Gas, a so-called independent body bankrolled by Cuadrilla and other oil and gas firms. [30] The group which received some £650,000 from the fracking firms, claimed it would 'assess the existing evidence, ask for new contributions and lead a national conversation' surrounding fracking, providing 'impartial opinions on the impacts, good and bad, that the exploitation of shale gas will have on the UK'.

In practice, the group has authored a series of reports that have recommended expansion of the shale industry in the UK. Lobbying firm Edelman manages the Task Force's Secretariat. The group has been criticised as yet another cog in the fracking industry's efforts to manufacture 'expert' consensus on the practice of fracking.

Special meeting with energy minister on oil and gas policy ahead of May 2018 shale gas roundtable

Government records show that energy minister Claire Perry met with Cuadrilla 'to discuss oil and gas policy' in the run-up to her May 2018 roundtable with the fracking industry, which took place just hours before she gave evidence to a committee of MPs on the Conservative government's proposed changes to relax the rules on shale gas development in the UK. [31]

A 'reconstructed' attendee list was released under the freedom of information act to North Yorkshire resident Jonathan Bales following an internal review of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy's initial almost completely redacted FOI response. [32]

Oil and gas companies at the roundtable included:

Other industries and organisations: Chemical Industries Association chemical company SABIC, Coalfield Regeneration Trust, Engineering Employers’ Federation, GMB. [33]

Sponsorship and advertising in schools and sports clubs

November 2017 Cuadrilla magazine distributed to local residents: Source: Claire Stephenson on Twitter

A key prong of Cuadrilla's strategy to win over local communities in the areas where it operates has been by sponsoring schools and local sports activities. Most recently this has included controversial sponsorship of the 2017 Gazette Education Awards, specifically the category award for 'top headteacher' on the Fylde coast according to a magazine distributed to local residents (see righthand image) and the local press. [34]

Cuadrilla's own website sports a glossy image of young teens in school uniforms with Cuadrilla boss Francis Egan handing them trophies as part of their prize for the 'Young Engineers Competition' in Lancashire. The firm has sponsored these £12,000 awards for the past five years: the aim, it says, is 'to improve STEM facilities within schools and 'foster the engineers of the future'. Cuadrilla argues that: 'Creating new skills and jobs is one of our top priorities as we aim to meet the challenge of supplying cost-effective, secure and safe energy for the future.

The website also details its sports donations:

We are also delighted to be sponsoring the AFC Fylde Community Foundation’s ‘Train Like A Pro’ football development programme for 240 young people in Lancashire opportunity to experience what it’s like to be a professional athlete, while gaining vital life skills. The programme works with 12 local partners to select young people from across Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre to take part in the initiative, which has been designed to provide equal and inclusive access to sports and enrichment programmes to children from disadvantaged backgrounds. [35]

The Train like a Pro programme was gifted £5000 according to Cuadrilla's community donations list; the AFC Fylde Club was also given wider sponsorship of £17,600 in 2016. [36]

Key lobbying firms and consultants

{{#ev:youtube|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toTLr2yIJ5E%7C450%7Cright%7C"Meet the Frackers: a Spinwatch lobbying tour"}} Since 2011, Cuadrilla has employed a raft of lobbying, PR and planning consultants to help it persuade politicians and local communities to accept its shale gas explorations. Learn more about the key players by watching our video.

PPS

Lobbyists and planning consultants PPS started working with Cuadrilla in early 2011, representing both its Cuadrilla Bowland Ltd and Cuadrilla Balcombe Ltd subsidiaries. In the early years Paul Kelly and Nick Sutcliffe were communications consultants and directors at PPS; Sutcliffe was also a local politician for Guildford District Council.

In 2012 PPS produced a brochure for Cuadrilla, titled Summer 2012 Exploring For Natural Gas: Cuadrilla Resources is exploring for natural gas in Lancashire which the Advertising Standards Authority found contained misleading and exaggerated claims that breached CAP code. [37] This was despite PPS' proclaimed communication strategy that since 2011 it 'has focused on making Cuadrilla and its operations as transparent as possible so that the government, media and opinion-formers could gain trust in the company’s corporate governance and technology'.

Hanover Communications

Cuadrilla has used this influential lobbying agency led by Charles Lewington since March 2013. [38] In February 2014 Lewington was spotted socialising with the climate-denying Tory environment secretary Owen Paterson and former energy minister Charles Hendry at the Intercontinental Hotel bar in Park Lane, London. [39]

The official UK government registrar for lobbying shows Hanover as having recorded ministerial contact for Cuadrilla as a client for all quarters since April 2015 to the quarter ending March 2017. [40]

Westbourne Communications

Westbourne, run by Conservative peer Lord James Bethell, began working on the Cuadrilla account in late 2013. [41]

In June 2015, Westbourne was forced to deny it had set up a pro-fracking 'astroturf' group on behalf of Cuadrilla. Press releases featured in the mainstream media showed eight students holding a 'Students for Shale' banner on the steps of Lancashire Country Council, ahead of the councils' debate on whether to allow fracking in the region.

The Morning Star criticised these pro-shale geology students for having vested interests in fracking given they were hoping to get jobs in the industry. One student also attended Blackpool and Fylde College, a designated national training centre for the onshore gas sector since 2014, supported by Cuadrilla and partner energy giant Centrica.

Westbourne account director, Maurice Cousins, denied deliberately using Lancashire geology students to try to show positive public support for fracking. He said: 'I do not understand what the issue is. We are transparent and not misleading. The students are within their rights to their opinions'. Cousins also accused the newspaper of 'harassing' students.[42]

Westbourne also ran the North West Energy Task Force (NWETF), a ‘local’ lobby group set up by Centrica and Cuadrilla to push the business case for fracking in Lancashire. Emails released by Defra under freedom of information rules reveal that in May 2014 an unnamed Westbourne staffer wrote to Guy Robinson, a special adviser to the then environment secretary Owen Paterson, to request a meeting on ‘shale gas and farming’. The lobbyist, whose name is redacted but mentions NWETF is a client, was ‘working on a research paper exploring the potential benefits of shale gas developments to farmers’. He/she wanted ‘to discuss some of the findings’ over ‘some lunch or a brief coffee’ ahead of a launch event. [43]

Cuadrilla is also a core sponsor of a subsequent pro-shale group Lancashire for Shale, accused by local campaigners as another front group and shill for the industry. Its steering group includes most of the steering group listed on the now-mothballed NWETF.

Bell Pottinger Public Affairs

Bell Pottinger provided public affairs advice to Cuadrilla from May 2013 until February 2014. During this time one of its PR executives, Mark Linder, was also responsible for Cuadrilla's corporate development. [44] In August 2013 at the height of the Balcombe protests, anti-fracking protestors made national headlines by supergluing themselves to Bell Pottinger's London headquarters. [45]BPPA appears to have lost the account after February 2014, although continued to lobby on behalf of Cuadrilla's Lancashire licence part-owner Centrica, whose account it had handled for several years.

The ongoing relationship with Centrica prompted anti-fracking campaigners to target Bell's London offices once again in April 2017, where a group dressed in animal masks occupied the firm's lobby to 'expose' what they call the agency's "continual support for fracking" as part of a two-week action aimed at companies involved in the fracking supply chain. Reclaim the Power activist Ash Hewitson told PR Week companies like Bell Pottinger were 'crucial' for the fracking industry. 'Through their partnership with Cuadrilla and Centrica, they work to further the fracking agenda and suppress the stories of resistance and opposition on the ground,' he said. The group threw leaves, spread manure and sprayed 'squid ink' on the windows. [46]

Lexington Communications

Lexington has listed Cuadrilla as a client since September-November 2015 and appears on the APPC Register as recently as 31 May 2017. [47] The agency handles the energy company's 'Community Liaison Group' and 'community information line'. IGas, another major fracking firm, has also been a registered client with Lexington. [48]

Portland Communications

Cuadrilla was a registered client with Portland from March-May 2015 until June-August 2016.

Constituencies including Cuadrilla licences

Cuadrilla was awarded eight shale licences across 18 licence blocks by the Oil and Gas Authority under the 14th licensing round in 2015. The constituencies covering these licensed areas include:

People

Active (as of January 2017)

Francis Egan, Cuadrilla CEO
  • Matt Lambert - Director of government and public affairs, appointed in 2013. Has previously worked for Betfair, Microsoft, lobbyists Grayling and was a speechwriter and researcher for Liberal Democrats in the 1980s.[49]
  • Roy Franklin - Director, appointed in January 2012.
  • Ken Lowe - Water manager, appointed in 2012.
  • Huw Clarke - Senior Geoscientist, appointed in July 2009. Conducted the geological operations for the Preese Hall 1 shale gas discovery well. Speaker at the March 2014 Shale Gas conference in London. [50]
  • Jacqui Reid - Head of corporate communications, appointed in 2013. [51]
  • Sam Schofield - Lancashire communications and public affairs manager, appointed in 2014. Previously worked for the lobbying firm PPS.
  • Neville Lancaster Jr - Director, appointed in May 2010.
  • Philip Arnall - Director, appointed in February 2014.
  • Ivor Orchard - Director, appointed in February 2014.
  • Alfredo Marti - Director, appointed in February 2014.
  • Robin Duggan - Director, appointed in April 2015.
  • Rebecca Henworth - Company secretary, appointed in September 2015.
  • Rowland Wright, external affairs director circa 2019

Former

  • Lord Browne - Chairman, resigned in March 2015. Managing partner of Riverstone Holdings, the venture capital firm that backs it. Now chairman of L1 Energy, an oil and gas firm backed by Russian billionaire Mikhail Fridman.
  • Andrew Quarles Van Ufford - Director, appointed in May 2013, resigned 5 May 2017 (held role as exploration director). Now South Asset/Geoscience Manager at Endeavour Energy Resources in Texas, United States
  • Mark Lappin - technical director from 2017 until February 2019, now chairman at Cluff Natural Resources
  • Mark Miller - Director and VP, appointed in December 2012 and resigned in February 2013. From the USA, he founded and ran Eastern Reservoir Service until 2005.
  • Peter Turner - Company secretary & director, appointed January 2008 and resigned February 2013. Managed its exploration activities in mainland Europe. Turner is a former academic who headed the Petroleum Geosciences Unit at the University of Birmingham. He holds a B.Sc, a PhD and an honorary D.Sc in Geology and has written over 150 publications and books. Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and the Americas.
  • Anthony Carruthers - Commercial director, appointed in April 2012 and resigned in August 2015. Previously commercial manager East Africa for Tullow Oil from September 2010 – March 2012. Now a director of Forty Green Energy Ltd.[52]
  • Dennis Carlton - Director, appointed in March 2009 and resigned in February 2013. From the USA, he founded and ran Evergreen Resources until 2004. He led the successful development of coal bed methane in Colorado; his exploits appear in Gasland.
  • Eric Vaughan - Chief operations officer, appointed in June 2008 and resigned in August 2015. Previously chief technology Officer and 'head of well development' 2015.
  • Leon Jennings - health, safety and environment director Cuadrilla
  • Andrew Price - Director, appointed in April 2010 and resigned in September 2015.
  • Allan Campbell - Director, appointed in February 2010 and resigned in February 2014.
  • Anthony Kelly - Director, appointed in February 2010 and resigned in February 2014.
  • Hubert Ashton - Director, appointed in February 2008 and resigned December of the same year.
  • Philip Tonkin - Director, appointed in February 2010 and resigned in January 2012.
  • Christopher Cornelius - Director, appointed in February 2010 and resigned in November 2010.
  • Haroun Van Hovell Tot Westerflier - Director, appointed in February 2010 and resigned in December 2014. Current managing director of Riverstone Holdings. [53]
  • Gregory Beard - Director, appointed in February 2010 and resigned in May of the same year.
  • 'ALDEX Ltd' - Company Secretary, appointed in February 2009 and resigned in December 2012.

Other

Law firms

Peachy & Co LLP was appointed to act for Cuadrilla in the UK from July 2008, as the firm has no in-house legal resource in the UK. This role has involved acting for the oil and gas firm:

  • in December 2011 on Cuadrilla's acquisition of a significant equity participation in a Hungarian O&G project, including successfully fracking a test well. Peachey's website reported that 'Further equity interests will be acquired following further seismic work and the drilling of a further exploratory well during 2012'.
  • in October 2012 with negotiations with the UK Government to recommence its hydraulic fracking operations in the UK.

In June 2013 Peachey & Co acted for the Australian stock exchange quoted company A J Lucas Group Ltd in the sale of part of its interest in the Bowland shale gas exploration licence area to Centrica plc. A J Lucas is a major shareholder in Cuadrilla Resources which is the co-owner on the licence.

In March 2013 The Lawyer magazine reported that former Slaughter and May lawyer Hubert Ashton, now a partner at Peachey, admitted that the past few months of exploratory digging, questions in the House and earthquakes have been “interesting”. [54]

Auditors and bankers

Affiliations

Contact details

  • Website
http://www.cuadrillaresources.com/
  • Address:
Cuadrilla Resources Ltd
Cuadrilla House, Unit 6 Sceptre Court
Sceptre Way, Bamber Bridge
Preston
PR5 6AW

Resources

See: Fracking lobbying firms See: Fracking Spads

Articles

Videos

Public information series:

Notes

  1. Cuadrilla Resources, Cuadrilla website, Preston New Road, last accessed 8 June 2018
  2. Cuadrilla CUADRILLA CONFIRMS PLAN FOR FURTHER TESTING AT PRESTON NEW ROAD, company website, dated and accessed 11 July 2019
  3. Jillian AmbroseCuadrilla to restart fracking at site in Lancashire, 11 July 2019, accessed same day
  4. 12 February 2019
  5. Emily Gosden, Losses mount at Cuadrilla as it counts the cost of fracking delays, The Telegraph, 29 October 2016, accessed 7 November 2016.
  6. Ruth Hayhurst, Centrica payment puts Cuadrilla in profit, 4 June 2018
  7. LinkedIn | Cuadrilla Resources, LinkedIn, accessed 25 January 2017.
  8. Tom Bawden, Exclusive: Fracking company - we caused 50 tremors in Blackpool – but we're not going to stop, Independent, 3 November 2011, accessed 12 October 2016.
  9. Gas fracking: Ministers approve shale gas extraction, BBC News, 13 December 2012, accessed 13 October 2016.
  10. Jonathan Brown, Fracking company Cuadrilla pulls out of shale gas site in Lancashire, Independent, 4 October 2013, accessed 13 October 2016.
  11. Terry McCallister, Cuadrilla announces major fracking expansion in UK, The Guardian, Friday 5 July 2013 18.14 BST
  12. Fiona Harvey and Adam Vaughan, Cuadrilla announces two new Lancashire fracking sites, The Guardian, 4 February 2014, accessed 23 November 2016.
  13. Roseacre Wood fracking bid rejected by Lancashire councillors, BBC News, 25 June 2015, accessed 19 September 2016
  14. Christopher Hope, Ministers plot to foil anti-frackers, The Telegraph, 30 January 2016, accessed 13 September 2016
  15. Frances Perraudin, Lancashire council's fracking refusal was 'democracy in action', The Guardian, 9 February 2016, accessed 13 September 2016
  16. Adam Vaughan, Fracking in UK given go-ahead as Lancashire council rejection overturned, The Guardian, 6 October 2016, accessed 6 October 2016.
  17. Adam Vaughan, Cuadrilla starts work on Lancashire fracking site, The Guardian, 5 January 2017, accessed 26 January 2017.
  18. Government 'delayed fracking report' until after vote, Greenpeace claims, BBC News, 25 November 2016, accessed 30 November 2016.
  19. Draft Shale Gas Rural Economy Impacts paper, GOV.uk, 1 July 2015, accessed 19 September 2016
  20. Haroon Siddique, Green MP Caroline Lucas goes on trial over Sussex fracking protests, The Guardian, 24 March 2014, accessed 28 September 2016.
  21. Caroline Davies, Caroline Lucas cleared of anti-fracking protest charges, The Guardian, 17 April 2014, accessed 26 January 2017.
  22. Nazia Parveen, Anti-fracking activist refuses to pay £55,000 legal bill in Cuadrilla dispute, The Guardian, 24 June 2016, accessed 26 January 2017.
  23. Frances Perraudin, Anti-fracking activist spared jail after refusing to pay court £55,000, The Guardian, 9 December 2016, accessed 12 December 2016.
  24. Adam Vaughan, Fracking drilling rig brought on site overnight 'to avoid protests', The Guardian, 27 July 2017 17.14 BST, accessed 25 August 2017
  25. Tim Gavell, [Judge grants fracking firm injunction to 2020], The Gazette, 11 July 2018, accessed 13 July 2018
  26. Helen Pidd, Anti-fracking activists breached injunction, judge rules, Guardian, 28 June, accessed same day
  27. Friends of the Earth commences High Court action against Cuadrilla over 'unlawful' anti-protest injunction, Friends of the Earth, press release 25 June 2019
  28. Ruth Hayhurst, chief welcomes government cash for anti-fracking protests, Drill or Drop, 1 February 2019
  29. Damian Carrington, UK defeats European bid for fracking regulations, The Guardian, 14 January 2014, accessed 26 January 2017.
  30. Damian Carrington, Former Environment Agency head to lead industry-funded fracking task force, theguardian.com, 21 October 2014 13.51 BST, accessed same day
  31. Ministerial disclosures Claire Perry 2018-04-19
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