Rathlin Energy (UK) Limited has been granted environmental clearance by the United Kingdom's Environment Agency to drill additional oil and gas wells and conduct commercial production at the West Newton A well site in Yorkshire's East Riding.

Rathlin Energy has been operating its exploratory oil and gas drilling site at West Newton A in East Riding of Yorkshire since 2013 under the conditions of an environmental permit. The company sought a variation to this permit to enable the creation of six additional wells and sidetracks, the relocation of oil storage facilities, and the installation of gas engines to generate electricity for export to the National Grid.

Following a consultation on the draft permit in June, which followed an initial consultation in December 2021, the Environment Agency reviewed all submitted information and considered public comments and evidence. Subsequently, the agency granted a variation to the environmental permit. Rathlin Energy has already obtained planning approval for the proposed activities.

Kathryn Richardson, Environment Agency Area Environment Manager, stated, "The Environment Agency is satisfied that the appropriate measures are in place for oil and gas extraction without causing harm to the environment or human health, and, after exploring the issues and concerns that have been raised, it cannot find any reason to refuse the application."

She added, "In assessing this permit variation, we have completed a detailed and rigorous assessment of Rathlin Energy's application to ensure the operating techniques and control measures at the proposed facility comply with the legal requirements of the Environmental Permitting Regulations – which are in place to protect people and the environment."

This permit approval aligns with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's confirmation of granting hundreds of new North Sea oil and gas licenses, emphasizing the UK government's support for the North Sea oil and gas industry as part of efforts to enhance energy independence.

In a separate statement from Rathlin Energy, the company disclosed its plans for a proposed horizontal well at the West Newton B site, with well path selection and engineered well design already completed. The company has acquired a wellbore casing and has approached drilling rig and other key rig service contractors to ascertain their availability.

Rathlin Energy aims to commence operations in the first half of 2024, contingent on the approval of the pending Environment Agency permit for West Newton B and rig availability.

The West Newton discovery, along with other prospects identified by Rathlin Energy in PEDL 183, holds the potential to yield up to one trillion cubic feet of domestically produced natural gas in the Humber area. The gas from the West Newton field could serve as feedstock for the blue hydrogen projects being planned within the Humber Estuary. Based on data from the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets, the anticipated recoverable gas resource at West Newton has the potential to meet the daily gas demands of over 380,000 UK homes for many years to come.