IGas is proposing to install a new wellsite to establish production from the western extent of the Glentworth field. The oil will be extracted from the Mexborough Rock, which is a conventional sandstone reservoir that has produced oil for the existing Glentworth-K site for 60 years. The proposed new wellsite will produce oil for up for 21 years and will include:

• A well pad for the drilling of an appraisal well
• Up to seven horizontal development wells.

The proposed development will operate in a similar manner to the existing Glentworth-K wellsite and will be carried out in phases.

The village of Glentworth lies 16km north of Lincoln and much of the area forms part of the Glentworth conventional oil field, which is one of the 10 oil fields in the Gainsborough area. The Glentworth oilfield was discovered in 1961.

The proposed new wellsite is located c.2.3km outside the village and less than half a kilometre from the existing Glentworth-K wellsite which has been operated by IGas since 2011. 

The new wellsite will measure c.4.4ha including the access track.

The site does not form part of the green belt, nor does it fall within any other ecological protection designations.

The site is covered by policy M9 of the Lincolnshire Minerals and Waste Local Plan. Policy M9 relates to energy minerals and states that planning permission will be granted for exploration. Appraisal and/or production of conventional and unconventional hydrocarbons provided.

The proposed development will be carried out in seven phases:

• Phase 1: Construction
• Phase 2:   Drilling Operations
• Phase 3:  Extended well test / Production
• Phase 4: Well Pad Extension and Pipeline Installation
• Phase 5:  Production Development Well Drilling
• Phase 6:  Production
• Phase 7: Well De-Commissioning and Site Restoration

Planning permission is sought for a period of up to 21 years

The landscaping strategy is currently being considered and this will form part of the formal planning application. However, the landscape strategy will aim to enhance the existing features and will detail how the future restoration of the site will correspond with the surrounding land use patterns.

The main impact upon the landscape will be during the drilling phase. This phase is only temporary meaning that there will be no long-term impacts to the area.

Finally, a planning application will be supported by a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA). The LVIA will provide more information on the impact the proposed development would have on the landscape characters and views.

There are no environmental designations that would constrain development.

A suite of ecology and wildlife surveys are being undertaken to determine the ecological value of the site and highlight areas of particular interest for biodiversity.

The surveys identified that the site has a lower conservation value. However, the field margins and hedgerows comprise habitats of higher value. While these features are common and widespread in the local area, the scheme has been carefully designed to retain and protect these areas of higher value.

The Glentworth west site is located within Flood Zone 1. This means that the land has a low probability of flooding.

A noise assessment is being undertaken and this will be submitted with the planning application.

The site is considered far enough away that the existing noise is unlikely to disturb residential properties. The nearest residential property is more than 600m to the south west of the site.

The use of gas associated with oil production will be used for powering the existing wellsite at Glentworth-K and converting this to electricity and heating units, produces a relatively minimal impact on air quality.

An air quality assessment (AQA) has assessed all activities associated with the works that have the potential to impact air quality. The AQA has identified the following sources for potential air pollution from the proposed development:

• Dust arising from well pad construction
• Road Traffic Emissions
• Combustion Plant Emissions
• Odour

Vehicle access to the wellsite during construction, drilling and initial production test phases will include the upgrade of the existing access track, including, improvements to passing bays, the widening of corners (to allow abnormal loads associated with the drilling rig to access the site) and the construction of an extension of the access track to the site.

We will look to make improvements and widen passing places in discussion with the local highways authority as part of the consultation process.

IGas operates its own Community Fund which has distributed over £1 million since 2008. We have set up the IGas Community Fund because we recognise that, in helping to satisfy society’s energy needs, our activities have the potential to affect our neighbours. We accept the responsibility to minimise those impacts and to operate in a socially and environmentally acceptable manner. We also recognise that a good corporate neighbour is one who contributes to the wider well-being of the community. The fund is a practical way of providing such support. Over the years we have awarded grants worth over £30,000 to a number of local projects, in Lincolnshire. 

If there are any local projects, causes or initiatives you want to see us deliver or invest in, please let us know in the feedback form.

To find out more about how to apply to the community fund visit: https://www.igascommunityfund.co.uk/

The proposed development in Glentworth builds on the existing benefits delivered through the Glentworth-K site. The new wellsite will offer benefits through increased investment in the local supply chain, retention of jobs, increased business rates and increased supply to the market.

We are planning to submit the application in late November, once we have received feedback from this consultation.

IGas is committed to committed to maintaining close and responsive relationships with the communities in which we operate, and we have a long track record of engaging with local residents.

We are consulting with local residents, politicians, business representatives, third party groups and stakeholders – essentially anyone who would have an interest in the plans or could be affected by the proposals.

There are a number of ways you can have a say on our proposals, such as calling the community information line on 0333 358 0502 (Monday to Friday – 9:00am to 5:30pm) or completing a feedback form online.

You can find more information on the project website, which also includes an online feedback form that can be submitted. You can also email us at glentworthhydrogen@havingyoursay.co.uk.

Feedback must be submitted by Friday 11th November 2022.

All feedback received will be reviewed in detail and we will look to incorporate appropriate comments within the scheme as the planning application progresses. All feedback will also be collated in a Statement of Community Involvement for submission to Lincolnshire County Council alongside the planning application.

You can express support for the plans by completing a feedback form either online or by writing to Lincolnshire’s Planning Department once the application has been submitted.

Lincolnshire County Council will undertake statutory consultation on the proposals following submission of the application. We will also continue to talk to interested parties about the plans following the submission of the planning application.

IGas will submit the application. They are also the owners and operators of the site.

IGas Energy plc is a British onshore energy company that currently delivers a mix of natural gas, crude oil and electricity to the UK’s energy market and is developing a number of low carbon projects including large-scale geothermal to deliver heat.

IGas’ strategy is to create value for shareholders and society in a sustainable way through the successful development, efficient operation and responsible ownership of energy infrastructure and businesses.

IGas has an existing onshore oil and gas exploration and production business, holding a portfolio of production and exploration assets in England. The business has more than thirty years’ experience of successfully and safely extracting and producing hydrocarbons onshore in the UK.

IGas is committed to the environment and providing safe and healthy working conditions for its’ employees and contractors.

Phase one:

Construction activities will take place from:

• 7:00 to 19:00 Monday to Friday
• 7:00 to 13:00 on Saturdays

There will be no construction activity on Sundays and Bank Holidays

This will take up to 5 months.

Phase two:

Drilling operations will take place round the clock – 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

This phase will last 5 months.

Phase three:

Production and operational activities will take place 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.

This phase will last one year.

Phase four:

Construction activities will take place from:

• 7:00 to 19:00 Monday to Friday
• 7:00 to 13:00 on Saturdays

There will be no construction activity on Sundays.

This will take up to 5 months.

Phase five:

The drilling of each well will take around 5 months.

Drilling activities will take place round the clock – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Phase six:

Phase 6 is about production.

This phase includes the installation of the pipeline and the site becomes more of a remote satellite to Glentworth K.

Once in production it would operate 24hrs a day, but be largely un-manned.

Phase seven:

Well abandonment will take place round the clock – 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

While site restoration will take place from:

• 7:00 to 19:00 Monday to Friday
• 7:00 to 13:00 on Saturdays

There will be no construction activity on Sundays