Cuadrilla's take on what fracking will look like
The front line of the debate over fracking in the UK moved to the Sussex village of Balcombe this afternoon where Cuadrilla arrived to hold a drop-in session with residents concerned by their latest drilling plans.
Cuadrilla plans to drill a 914m vertical well and a 762m horizontal bore to the south of the village, near Haywards Heath, in June. The firm has promised it wont carry out any fracking of the rocks at this stage - but may apply to do so later.
And there lies the problem because Cuadrilla's run into trouble in Balcombe before over the issue of fracking.
At a village meeting earlier this year the US chief executive of the firm, Mark Miller was repeatedly attacked by residents during a packed and, from the US firms' point of view, somewhat unsuccessful village meeting.
Today's drop in appears little more slick with one frustrated executive admitting "I know everything I say sounds like utter fucking bullshit," as he batted away offers of pink 'frack off' cupcakes and protesting school children.
The firm responded with attempts to be open and up front with residents - admitting, for example, that their analysis had not yet provided any evidence that fracking will lower bills.
Will it work? It doesn't seem like they are the favorite visitors to this Sussex town, but they certainly don't want for chutzpah.
