Swallowcroft – PEDL 40-1, 56-1, 78, 115-1 and 115-2

The Swallowcroft area includes licences PEDL 40-1, 56-1, 78, 115-1 and 115-2. The area extends from Newcastle-under-Lyme in the West across to Lichfield in the East, within the county of Staffordshire.

Swallowcroft (PEDLs 040-1 and 056-1): Geologically, the area is formed by a series of open, westward-plunging anticlines and synclines, outcropping rocks of Triassic to Carboniferous Age at surface, with the Carboniferous Westphalian Coal Measures sequence outcropping to the north of the licences, where they were worked as part of the Staffordshire coalfields. A large fault, the Wem Fault, downthrows Carboniferous strata to the very westerly edge of the licences and although quantification of this throw is uncertain, it is likely that the Carboniferous strata to the west of this fault are too deep for CBM exploration at present.

Greater Swallowcroft (PEDLs 78-1 and 115-1, 115-2): Geologically, the area under licence is formed by strata of Carboniferous and Permo-Triassic Age. Solid geological maps show the area to be generally dipping from south to north, with a complex of north-south trending normal faults, commonly downthrowing to the east in the case of PEDL 78-1 and to the west in the case of PEDL 115-1 and 2.

Extensive work has now been undertaken to select appropriate sites from which to drill, using the Group’s existing geological data. On 31 July 2008, a well was spudded at Willoughbridge in PEDL 78. This assay well was drilled to core and log the coal measures and extend our knowledge of the coal seam development in the area. The well successfully achieved its objectives and, as planned, the well was plugged and abandoned in early September. The drilling of this well satisfies the commitments under the first term of the licence and extends it into its second term. A well was spudded at Fradley in October 2008 and the fulfilled the licence obligations for PEDL 115-2 and ensures the extension of the licence into its second term.

In PEDL 56-1, an agreement has been struck with a large employer and land owner who will also be a customer for gas produced from this site; and will give planning support for a well site within this licence. 

Source: Equipoise Solutions Limited Evaluation of the Coal Bed Methane Interests of IGas plc as published on 31st October 2008, a copy of which can be found in the investor section of the website.

© Crown copyright, All rights reserved 2008, License number 0100031673