Woodburn drill lead company abandons oil and gas exploration

The company behind the Woodburn drill has announced it is abandoning its oil and gas exploration activities.

InfraStrata, which led a coalition of companies in the search for oil and gas close to a drinking water reservoir near Carrickfergus, says it is restructuring and plans to focus entirely on the Islandmagee gas storage project.

The company said its directors have decided to divest its remaining oil and gas exploration interests and will shortly be commencing a process to achieve this.

“Following these changes, InfraStrata will also seek a re-classification of the Company’s sector classification. It is proposed to reclassify the Company to the Utility sector 7573 Gas Distribution,” InfraStrata said in a statement on its website.

InfraStrata CEO Andrew Hindle said: “The amendment to Baron’s option and the other proposals announced today are important aspects of InfraStrata’s transition to the only AIM-quoted company entirely focused on gas storage and we will be reviewing our management and technical requirements to ensure that all resources will be entirely dedicated to development of the project.”

The coalition left the exploratory drill site at Woodburn Forest earlier this month after failing to locate any oil or gas.

The controversial borehole attracted a vigorous campaign by anti-drill protesters and local people who questioned the decision to permit oil exploration - without requiring planning permission - close to a reservoir that supplies drinking water to thousands of homes.

Their 24-hour vigil at the forest near Carrickfergus was supported by Marvel Avengers actor Mark Ruffalo and human rights activist Bianca Jagger.

The campaign prompted then Environment Minister Mark H Durkan to launch a consultation on the use of permitted development rights for oil and gas exploration.

Last night, protesters Stop The Drill said: “Not only did we stop the drill in Woodburn, but it also appears that we inflicted a mortal wound to Infrastrata's plans.

“Infrastrata have announced that they are abandoning oil and gas exploration.

“Where will this leave the PL1/10 licence which stretches across Mid Antrim from Lough Neagh to the Belfast Lough?”

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