It was really just a matter of time before the violence that has always been latent in the environmentalist movement spilled out into open view. Last night it seems that one of the "usual suspects" at the anti-fracking protests could no longer maintain the pretence of "peaceful protest". The following press release was issued on behalf of Dart Energy a couple of hours ago.
PRESS RELEASE
19 April 2014
Violent protest at Daneshill Road drill site Nottinghamshire
Dart Energy's site manager was this morning assaulted by a protestor as he attempted to gain access to the site. This violent act followed a night of masked protestors circling the drilling site screaming and shouting abuse, throwing objects at Security Personnel and causing criminal damage.
The police were not in attendance at the time but have been advised of the incident. The assailant who is not from the area is well known to the company and a statement will be given to the police with a view to charges been laid. Dart Energy will not tolerate violence or abuse towards any of its employees or contractors.
While there are some local protestors the vast majority are from outwith the area most having been seen at Barton Moss and Dart Energy's previous drilling site in Cheshire.
John McGoldrick, Dart Energy's CEO said:
"Since the aggravated trespass of the site earlier this week, as a result of which a contractor required hospital treatment, we have witnessed an escalation in non peaceful protest. Site personnel have been threatened with violence (death in one case), verbal abuse, racial abuse and now physical abuse. There is no way that the protest movement can claim it is making a peaceful protest. These abuses are despicable and cowardly.
We expect the police to take the appropriate action to protect our site and personnel from such violence and abuse and will insist that the fullest charges are laid against those who do not abide by the law."
Notes to Editors:
In April 2014, Dart Energy commenced drilling a coalbed methane (CBM) exploration well called Lound 1 at a site near Sutton Cum Lound to the west of the A638 in Nottinghamshire.
The Lound 1 well aims to confirm coal continuity and properties for the primary target coal seams. The well will be similar to a CBM well previously drilled at Everton, a site which has been reinstated and returned to the landowner.
Some key facts about our work in Lound 1:
- We are drilling a vertical CBM exploration well to collect samples of coal for analysis
- The site operations will take 8-12 weeks from start to finish
- 24 hour drilling operations are expected to last 3-4 weeks in total
- The site is approximately the size of half a football pitch and the rig is the same height as a set of standard rugby posts
- The well will be cased with steel and cement to a depth of 350 metres to protect aquifers in the Sherwood Sandstone
- The well will be drilled using water based drilling fluid
- The well will be drilled using a mobile drilling rig that will be removed from site once we are finished
- On completion the well will be cemented up in line with relevant regulations and industry best practice
- The site will be fully restored to its former use as soon as practicable following completion of the drilling activities
- We are not hydraulically fracturing (fracking), nor are we removing water. There will be no methane flowing during the drilling operations.
- Dart will carry out a program of post cementation and restoration monitoring