Cuadrilla to close UK's last fracking wells despite dwindling gas stocks

The UK's final fracking wells are set to be sealed and filled with cement, despite warnings of dwindling gas reserves.

In an open letter, the North Sea Transition Authority regulator instructed energy company Cuadrilla to seal the two wells at Preston New Road in Lancashire before decommissioning them by 30th June 2025, as reported by City AM.

On Tuesday evening, Cuadrilla confirmed that work to decommission the sites would commence next month. Since 2019, there has been a moratorium on fracking in England, primarily due to environmental concerns.

While the sector had its supporters, some experts argue that fracking for shale gas in the UK was never going to be viable. However, in a defiant statement, Cuadrilla contended that the UK’s gas supply was depleting.

National Gas data reveals that UK gas reserves are approximately 36 per cent lower than last year's level. "The UK is heavily reliant on natural gas to keep the lights on, to heat our homes and to provide cost effective energy to British industry. That dependence will continue for the next several decades," said Francis Egan, chief executive of Cuadrilla.

"Yet nearly two thirds of all the gas we use comes from abroad, including liquefied natural gas from countries like Algeria, Qatar, Egypt and Angola."

"Domestically produced gas is four times cleaner than LNG imports and it’s possible to have a reliable and secure supply, produced here at home."

Lord Mackinlay, Chair of the Net Zero Scrutiny Group, has criticised Labour's stance on shale gas: "Back in 2022, I asked the previous Conservative government not to commit the madness of concreting up a promising and valuable shale gas site."