‘Zero chance’ of water contamination, says boss of frack site energy firm
Director of operations John Dewar said the bore hole will be fully sealed from the surrounding rock and the aquifer.
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An energy firm preparing to restart fracking for shale gas in the UK later this year says its door is open to anyone with genuine concerns about its operations at the “most heavily monitored piece of real estate in the UK”.
Third Energy, the UK firm that last year secured permission to use an existing gas well near the North Yorkshire village of Kirby Misperton to run test fracks almost two miles underground, said of demonstrators: “We respect their right to protest but they should respect our right to operate.”
The company says it will begin fracking at its KM8 well later this year and director of operations John Dewar is confident he can counter the continuing criticisms of the controversial technique.
![John Dewar Director of Operations Third Energy in Kirby Misperton (Danny Lawson/PA)](https://content.assets.pressassociation.io/2017/03/01160600/f8e917e96135dd592e46fdcf0c5ddd9a-640x360.jpg)
But campaigners opposed to Third Energy’s plans for KM8 reacted angrily to Mr Dewar’s insistence that the well was drilled without local disruption and that the fracking operation will continue to have minimal impact.
Local protesters said the Kirby Misperton plan was just the start of fracking “on an industrial scale”.
Mr Dewar defended his firm’s actions standing next to the head of the KM8 well – a small, red valve mechanism looking not much bigger than a washing machine. The well was sunk for conventional gas extraction in 2013.
Asked what his message was to protesters, some of whom have set up an anti-fracking camp nearby, he said: “My message to them is that, if they’re genuinely concerned, then come and see us, talk to us. We have an open door policy to anyone who has genuine concerns.
![John Dewar at the Third Energy facility near Kirby Misperton (Danny Lawson/PA)](https://content.assets.pressassociation.io/2017/03/01160716/e94cebfd1ab5063cd5715de0c12fd276-640x440.jpg)
“If they’re coming just to cause disruption, my message to them is that we will still go ahead.
“Please go away. We respect their right to protest but they should respect our right to operate.”
He said: “We were able to drill the well without causing any disruption.
“The hydraulic fracturing operation will take less time, be less disruptive.”
![The Third Energy facility (Danny Lawson/PA)](https://content.assets.pressassociation.io/2017/03/01160833/d8933a3107a6afe70f91ba2e22c3a240-640x457.jpg)
One of the continuing concerns about fracking Mr Dewar is most keen to counter is the claim it could contaminate the water supply.
“On this particular site there is absolutely zero chance, and I say zero carefully, of contamination,” he said.
Mr Dewar said the bore hole will be fully sealed from the surrounding rock and the aquifer, which is not used for drinking water extraction in the area – is much shallower and the rocks used for the test fracks thousands of feet below.
“So I have absolutely 100% confidence there will not be any contamination issues whatsoever,” he said.
![John Dewar at the Third Energy Knapton Generating Station (Danny Lawson/PA)](https://content.assets.pressassociation.io/2017/03/01161031/440a1e7bdb3e5fd8e2460cb88f13b35d-640x427.jpg)
Sue Gough, who lives close to KM8, said: “How dare John Dewar say they have not caused any disruption?
“He visited a lady who was kept awake all night by the 24/7 drilling and promised double glazing and a job for her husband, this is all on the public record of the planning committee meeting.
“The Tory county councillors who pushed this through should hang their heads in shame at what they are putting our community through.”