Union Jack Oil has announced that the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) has approved the Wressle Field Development Plan ('FDP').

The Wressle hydrocarbon development is located within licences PEDL180 and PEDL182 in North Lincolnshire on the western margin of the Humber Basin.

The NSTA has also approved the licences entering their production phase, which will continue through to 2039.

Union Jack holds a 40% economic interest in Wressle, which is operated by Egdon Resources U.K.

Executive Chairman of Union Jack, David Bramhill commented:
"The approval of the FDP by the NSTA is another significant and important milestone in the history of Wressle.

"Wressle-1 is currently amongst the most productive wells in the UK, and to date has produced over 170,000 barrels of high-quality oil.

"Focus now turns to completing the installation of the few remaining permanent production facilities and progressing the planning, permitting and implementation of the gas monetisation plan.

"My thanks go to our Joint Venture partners Egdon Resources U.K. Limited (Operator) and Europa Oil and Gas plc, whom, along with Union Jack have made the FDP approval process a success."

Wressle Development Planning History

• On 11 January 2017, North Lincolnshire Council (“NlC”) refused planning consent for the original application for the development of the Wressle Oil Field at Lodge Farm, Wressle, North Lincolnshire.
• On 7 February 2017, Egdon announced that it would both appeal the decision of 11 January 2017 and in parallel submit a new Planning Application for the Wressle development which would include even more detailed information to address the specific concerns outlined by NLC in their refusal.
• On 11 April 2017, Egdon submitted an appeal against NLC’s decision to refuse planning consent.
• On 28 April 2017, Egdon submitted a new application for the Wressle Development including additional detailed information to address the specific concerns raised by NLC in its 11 January 2017 decision to refuse the original application for the development of the Wressle Oil Field.
• On 19 May 2017, Egdon announced the issue by the Environment Agency of the variation to the Mining Waste Permit for the planned Wressle field development and associated operations.
• On 3 July 2017, the new planning application was also refused. The variation of the existing planning for the site requesting a twelve month extension was also refused at the same meeting.
• During November 2017, a planning inquiry was held to consider the two appeals for development approval and the appeal of the variation of the existing planning for the site. On 5 January 2018, we announced that the Inspector had rejected the appeals by Egdon against the two planning refusals by NLC’s Planning Committee. However, the Planning Inspectorate did uphold Egdon’s appeal against the decision to refuse the application to retain the existing planning for the well site, which was retained until the 28 April 2018.
• A new application to extend the current planning consent was submitted on 13 April 2018 and refused 1 August 2018 and the company announced its intention to appeal the decision
• On 5 July 2018 Egdon announced the submission to NLC of a new planning application for the development of the Wressle oil field.
• On 20 November 2018 the application for planning consent for the Wressle Development received a recommendation for approval from NLC’s planning officers. 
• In November 2018 the application for planning consent for the Wressle Development received a recommendation for approval from NLC’s planning officers. On 28 November the new application for planning consent for the Wressle Development was refused.  
• 5-7 November 2019 – Planning Inquiry
• 17 January 2020 – Appeal Upheld and planning permission granted
• The Wressle oilfield was brought onstream on schedule in January 2021 under natural flow and after a proppant squeeze the full production rate of 500 b/d was achieved in August 2021

KeyFacts Energy: Union Jack Oil UK country profile   l   Egdon Resources UK country profile   l   Europa Oil & Gas UK country profile 

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