Brockham, in Surrey’s Green Belt, is about to be subject to a new and controversial type of oil extraction. This involves the use of chemicals, acids, reinjected waste fluids and gas flaring which can release toxins into our air and water sources. These risk harm to our health and environment. We urgently need funds to commission experts to gather the water and air samples needed to monitor this.

Brockham is in an area with much groundwater and numerous water courses and we are highly concerned about the water pollution risks this new activity presents. During a recent test from the same rock formations at Balcombe in Sussex, Angus Energy hit ‘unexpected high-pressure water’ through ‘fractured communication’ with other layers, highlighting the reality of the risks we face.

We are also concerned about the impacts on public health from the gas flaring and gas engine combustion, which are projected to produce significant emissions of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and undetermined quantities of Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S).

Astonishingly, no statutory body is monitoring air or water quality, nor required disclosure of the type and quantities of chemicals to be used.This is because the site is being allowed to operate under an old-style environmental permit appropriate for a simple nodding donkey type pump – NOT the new technique about to be deployed.

The Environment Agency has been in the process of putting in a modern-style permit for over 2 years, but it is still unclear when this will be completed. Meanwhile, in August 2018 Angus received retrospective planning permission for the unauthorised ‘sidetrack’ hole they drilled under the guise of maintenance works . This gives Angus Energy carte blanche to commence extraction from unconventional geology using new methods that are neither properly regulated or monitored.

Brockham will be the first site in the country to attempt commercial production from the Jurassic Kimmeridge - a thick deposit of shale rock compared by the authorities to the Bakken Formation in North Dakota, where the use of hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling brought about mass industrialisation and thousands of wells…

Brockham Oil Watch, with the help of accredited experts, plan to monitor air and water quality to hold Angus Energy to account for risks to local people's health and the environment. We need to raise funds to cover the cost of equipment, advice and analysis so that the monitoring methodology is robust.

We need to act quickly to secure vital baseline data before further activity.

The independent hydrogeological work and water sampling costs £2,830. Our hydro-geologist requires a 25% deposit to start this work now. We are also in the process of engaging specialist air quality advice and monitoring, bringing the required total to an anticipated £6,000. We clearly see the need for future monitoring as the situation develops and have therefore set a target of £9,000.

We simply seek to properly respect and protect our health and environment.

Please help us - it really is urgent. Thank you so much to those that do…

RELEVANT LINKS:

1. Drill or Drop, 14 June 2018, Residents uncover regulatory loophole at Surrey oil site

2. Response to Application MO/2018/0444 SCC Ref 2017/0215 for Brockham Wellsite (from Balcombe residents group - FFBRA)

3. Brockham Oil Watch