Twelve years ago police and anti-fracking protesters clashed amid plans to drill for shale gas at Barton Moss
Anti-fracking protesters pictured at Barton Moss in 2013(Image: Vince Cole)
An energy firm has finally abandoned plans to drill for shale gas in Salford, 12 years after large anti-fracking protests resulted in clashes between police and demonstrators.
Star Energy has this week announced it is to abandon its wells at Barton Moss, near Irlam, and begin work to restore the site later this year.
In its annual financial results the firm, formerly known as IGas, said: “Five wells have been abandoned at our non-operated Doe Green (in Warrington) and Irlam sites, with site restoration work planned for 2025.”
The firm said it was part of a plan to ‘rationalise our portfolio of exploration licences, relinquishing early-stage exploration and shale licences’. The M.E.N. has contacted Star Energy asking if it wished to comment further.
Campaigners have welcomed the decision, saying the ‘battle is finally over’.
Martin Porter, who was the press coordinator for Frack Free Greater Manchester during the campaign, said: “Fracking on Barton Moss was defeated by the brave protectors who camped out in some of the worst weather imaginable, but they were sustained by local people who were outraged that their community was to be sacrificed for a new and dangerous fossil fuel.
“The campaign was a small part of the battle to defeat shale gas, but an important one.
“Public opinion was behind us and the Greater Manchester mayor was speaking out against shale gas. But I am still glad that it is now finally over.
“Barton Moss has already returned to nature. The future is renewable energy.”
120 people were arrested during the six month-long protest(Image: Sean Hansford)
In late 2013 and early 2014, campaigners camped at Barton Moss for around six months, protesting against drilling being carried out by IGas to explore the potential reserves of shale gas.
A total of 120 people were arrested as demonstrators obstructed IGas operations by ‘slow walking’ in front of lorries entering and leaving the site and locking themselves to the entrance.
iGas stopped drilling at Barton Moss in April 2014 and the site has remained dormant ever since.
In 2019 fracking, a technique for recovering gas and oil from shale rock which involves drilling into the earth and firing a high-pressure mixture of water, sand and chemicals to release the gas inside, was halted in England amid opposition from environmental groups and concerns about earth tremors.
Liz Truss briefly reinstated the practice during her short time as PM before it was once again halted by Rishi Sunak.