Cuadrilla commits to 'putting Lancashire first'

Cuadrilla CEO Francis Egan today signed six public commitments to the county of Lancashire to commit Cuadrilla to putting Lancashire first in terms of creating jobs, investment, new skills and community initiatives as a result of shale gas exploration and, if exploration is successful, shale gas production in Lancashire.

The “Putting Lancashire First” commitments are measured with an independently audited tracker which will be published quarterly in 2017 as exploration work begins. The 2016 tracker so far demonstrates that, even though the company undertook no site operation work this year, by moving its HQ to Lancashire it has already created 14 full time jobs and nearly £700,000 has directly gone into the Lancashire economy.

Cuadrilla is also pleased to announce that it has awarded its Preston New Road shale gas exploration site build contract to Bolton based civil engineering firm AE Yates Ltd. The contract, worth approximately £1.5m, ensures further jobs will be created in Lancashire and local suppliers will benefit from sub contracted work. Work is expected to start in early 2017.

Lancashire businesses are encouraged to register with the new Supply Chain Portal managed by both Lancashire Chambers of Commerce in order to be considered for contracts connected to the Preston New Road operations. Over 700 Lancashire businesses are already registered.

Francis Egan said: “Putting Lancashire First is about a way of doing business and we are committed to putting the county first with new jobs, economic growth and community benefits, promoting prosperity for current and future generations of Lancastrians. We have often spoken about how shale gas will benefit Lancashire as well as enhancing national energy security and now we are turning those words into action.”

Edwin Booth, chair of Lancashire Enterprise Partnership (LEP), said: “It is timely for the LEP to embrace the shale gas opportunity with all the economic and employment benefits that will follow.

“Lancashire has the potential to become a centre of excellence for on shore gas. In the event that the exploratory tests are successful, our county will become a valuable national resource through with the United Kingdom will become less dependent on gas from the Middle East and other foreign sources.

“I am encouraged that Cuadrilla and its engineers take safety very seriously and intend to run the smartest possible operations. The Bowland shales contain a vast quantity of gas and this huge untapped energy resource has the potential to bring new businesses into the county and create an entirely new supply network.

“Shale gas gives us a new opportunity to build on our existing successes and a further opportunity to provide sustained prosperity by creating new high value jobs and seizing the opportunity to be the hub of the emerging UK shale gas industry in a similar way to the way in which Aberdeen has been for the north sea oil and gas industry."

Daryl Platt, vice principal of Blackpool and the Fylde College, said: “We are aiming to provide a highly skilled workforce to support the shale gas industry.”

Mike Damms, chief executive of East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, said: “Shale gas will make a huge difference to Lancashire and its reputation – the county will prosper. “Manufacturers want secure, reliable energy to compete – without that, the 350,000 manufacturing jobs in the north are at risk.”

Dawn Cheetham, president of North and Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, said: “This is positive news for jobs, investment and supply chain activity and something the majority of our members support. The people and businesses of Lancashire must be ready to make the most of the opportunity.” Cuadrilla's commitments to the county: We will increase energy security for Lancashire and Britain as we become operational We will carry out our operations to the highest safety and environmental standards and communicate openly We will work with local partners to promote Lancashire as a hub for the UK shale gas industry with new jobs and economic growth We will prioritise Lancashire suppliers and publish the amount we are spending We will support local training opportunities for young people including the National Onshore Oil and Gas College based at Blackpool & The Fylde College We will share the benefits of shale gas by sponsoring educational and sporting projects and through a local community benefit scheme