Alba Mineral Resources Share Discussion Threads

[moneymunch] 20/3/2017 06:44

FAQs: Stories in the media about Brockham
1. What is the fuss about?

A BBC Environmental correspondent claimed Angus Energy ‘breached’ planning permission granted by the Surrey County Council (SCC).
2. Did you?

Of course not. We stand by our statement no breach has occurred.

We immediately met with the SCC as we value our working relationship and continue to work with the Council on all relevant matters.

Please note: As the Council said, “we are in discussions”, they have not stated any planning harm has actually occurred.
3. But the Council told the BBC” ‘We were extremely disappointed to find out that Angus Energy has acted without planning permission and contrary to our advice and guidance so we are meeting with them this week as a matter of urgency to resolve this.”

We believe this report was deeply flawed. It violated BBC’s own editorial guidelines. We will have more to say on this after we file our complaint with the BBC Director General and OFCOM.
4. Well is it true, did you act without planning permission?

No.

We firmly believe we have acted in a professional and correct manner and followed all permissions and guidelines from the OGA, EA, HSE and the SCC. Naturally we will continue to do so.
5. Did you perform work not covered in the SCC’s planning permission?

No.

We have 4 different regulators, Environmental Agency (EA), the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) and Surrey County Council (SCC) each covering their expertise provided by their remit.

The government’s guidelines make it absolutely clear that the remit of local councils covers the surface impact of the operations including matters such as noise, visual impact and traffic movements. All of our surface work was covered by our planning permission. We work with our local council on many important surface issues that rely on their expertise and requirements.
6. We heard a new well was drilled and that would have needed the SCC’s permission.

No new well was drilled.
7. I read a website that claims you ignored warnings.

The SCC’s 12 December letter cited by an environmental activist website under the freedom of information act, set out the circumstances in which a specific sidetrack needs planning permission.

The sidetrack that has been drilled doesn’t fall within these circumstances and doesn’t need planning permission according to SCC’s own criteria.

Despite having every opportunity at a number of meetings and in extensive correspondence, SCC has not identified any way in which the sidetrack causes any planning harm.

Any characterisation that Angus Energy deliberately misled its investors and the public or misunderstood clear advice is offensive, wrong and self-serving.
8. How often do you speak with the local council?

Constantly. Our meetings are as intended to resolve any misunderstanding by either party.

We communicate fully with all our regulators and relevant authorities.

We stand by our statements to the public, the SCC and our investors.
9. If it is not the SCC, who is it? What government authority is responsible for the subsurface work?

Oversight of subsurface development of oil and gas throughout the United Kingdom is the role of other government agencies with the broad knowledge, technical expertise and specialised experience. All subsurface work in this case, performed by Angus Energy at Brockham is fully controlled and approved by the Environmental Agency (EA), the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA).
10. Will you ever use Hydraulic Fracturing known as “fracking” at Brockham or in the Weald?

No.
11. Is Brockham Field on public land?

No. The field itself makes up less than 1% of a 500 acre private farm. It will not get any larger.
12. Who are Angus Energy?

We are a public company traded on the AIM market. We are committed to communication with all stakeholders. As such, you will find out a lot of information about the company and Brockham Field. Just click through the tabs above.

[gerryjames] 20/3/2017 06:31

Front page of the Times to-day. Two written warnings ignored. Prosecution looming. All very price sensitive. You would expect a more detailed Company statement....calming the troubled waters or suing the operator!!! Or similar.

[moneymunch] 19/3/2017 16:59

The way forward..........Gla ;-)

"Surrey County Council officers have waved this application through as “permitted development”. We think this is a breathtakingly cynical way to avoid subjecting it to public scrutiny and avoid it having to pass through the normal planning processes."

[moneymunch] 19/3/2017 15:49

Looks like Brockham should be a breeze as well HH's ewt permit approval.......well done SCC.........gla holders ;-)

Leith Hill Action Group Newsletter 48
18 March 2017
Stop the Leith Hill oil drilling!

Hello to all our supporters.

Urgent breaking news!

In Newsletter 47 just a few weeks ago, we reminded you that the number one defence Europa relied upon for why they should be allowed to drill was their insistence that they could complete the whole thing within an 18 week period. We repeatedly pushed against this during the Public Inquiry, expressing scepticism that it was possible. However, Europa never faltered in their firm assertion that this was what they could and would do. The Inspector cited the 18 week period as the key mitigation that justified all the harms he acknowledged would occur as a result of the drilling.

Incredibly, we have just learned that Surrey County Council has received AND APPROVED a brand new TEN MONTH application for the installation of security fencing, a security cabin and the closing of the access track and a large part of the drill site! This rushed approval gives Europa the right to start this at any date from 23 March (next Thursday)!

This new fencing is permitted to last up to six months before the start of the 18 week period of the drilling project. That means that the site can be closed to the public for ten months, with a continuous presence of personnel on site.

Surrey County Council officers have waved this application through as “permitted development”. We think this is a breathtakingly cynical way to avoid subjecting it to public scrutiny and avoid it having to pass through the normal planning processes.

Wait a minute. Wasn’t there already an application for a fence?

Correct! Europa applied last year for additional planning permission for considerable additional industrialisation to the site, including a security fence, additional visibility and an increase to the site area of 25%. This original fencing application was for the 18 week period and is being considered by Surrey County Council's Planning & Regulatory Committee on 22 March (next Wednesday).

The original application for the drilling was subject to formal Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) because of its location in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. At the request of Europa and Surrey County Council, the Secretary of State (for Communities and Local Government) issued a Direction that the 18-week fencing application need not be subject to EIA. LHAG has challenged that decision, because we believe it is not in accordance with the requirements of EIA Regulations.

Subsequently Europa also applied for that same additional Security Fencing development but for a 52-week period. The Secretary of State decreed that the 52-week application does require EIA.

Three days after that, we now learn, the “permitted development” notice that has just come to light was issued to Surrey by Europa. Surrey County Council opined that no EIA was required for the new application, but this seems contrary to everything we know about the nature of EIA requirements.

We have asked the Secretary of State to reconsider his Screening Direction in relation to the 18-week fencing before the planning meeting on 22nd, and to align it with his Direction on the 52-week fencing. We will now, as a matter of urgency, ask the Secretary of State for a Screening Direction countermanding officers’ opinion in relation to this new “permitted development”.

[moneymunch] 16/3/2017 06:05

Weald Oil needed for UK energy security. Gla ;-)

UK energy sector facing crisis as natural resources diminish, North East experts say
The future looks promising, but energy security will be a real challenge, according to experts who gathered on Tyneside

18:00, 15 MAR 2017

Durham University’s Prof Jon Gluyas, an expert in geo-thermal power and fossil fuels, chaired the Great Energy Debate and highlighted how the UK fortunately has ‘abundant natural energy reserves’.

But he quickly shifted tack to point out how these resources are diminishing and, as a result the UK is now facing an energy crisis.

He said: “We have the resources but they are in decline for a number of reasons. Coal production has declined significantly, our light oil reserves are in decline, we are at a pinch point for gas and we are not capable of storing renewables.

“This makes us extremely vulnerable for the first time in generations, and, along with this, the green agenda is failing. We have lots of initiatives but we are not making much impact on emissions to the atmosphere.

“For the first time the UK is facing a pinch on energy security - the future looks promising, but over the next few years energy security will be a real challenge.”

Mark MacLean, senior vice president and UK head, concluded his address by predicting a rise in the oil price, and an increase in the number of offshore projects.

He said: “Some say we have reached peak oil demand, but oil demand has never been as high since the 1970s. I cannot see that changing for some time and, as a result, we expect to see an increase in the oil price over the next few years.”

He began his address by reflecting on the period since the 2104 oil price crash. He said the cycle had followed a familiar path; from over production, to a cut in spending and an accelerated decline in infield drilling.

He said the decline in conventional oil projects has been at ‘unprecedented levels’ and said that in relation to predicted demand this is an ‘unsustainable course’.

“The conventional oil projects - the baseload of the oil and gas market - take three to six years and we needed to start building now for the next cycle.

“Up to now there has been no significant rebound, but 2017 is a transition point and we are seeing more new projects being sanctioned.

“We had reached the lowest point since 1950, when only 10 projects were approved, but we expect to see 30 to 35 approved and this is setting up the stage for a new oil cycle.”

He said that by 2030 we will be importing 80% of our gas and he believes we should doing more to harness our indigenous resources, such as shale gas.

He said: “Two-thirds of the public support fracking for our own gas, rather than relying on imported gas.”

This year, he said, will be a big year for the UK shale gas industry with exploration wells set to be drilled in Yorkshire, Lancashire and Nottinghamshire.

He said the industry could create over 60,000 jobs with opportunities for the supply chain in sand, cement, drilling and transport, while the market for rigs could be worth £2bn.

[moneymunch] 15/3/2017 21:06

In 6 months time HH's eagerly awaited extended flow tests will be underway, by which time Alba's share price will likely be significantly higher than this bargain low.......news from SCC is expected imminently, and so more upside from where we are if a satisfactory conclusion is reached , and that paves the way for Angus to submit their field development plan for Brockham and according to Angus's Rns dated 3rd March they expect completion for production by Spring/Summer....and the following extract suggests that discussions with SCC regarding the sidetrack were already in motion and and further planning permissions with SCC were site related rather than approval for production.

3rd March RNS

"In line with Angus's measured approach to field development, operations are in hand to install new production facilities for the well and to prepare for the production as soon as necessary OGA approval is in place. Targeted completion for production is in spring/summer 2017. Our professional team will shortly be meeting Surrey County Council to discuss the position in relation to the sidetrack and also to agree what further planning permissions are necessary in order to regularise the existing site cabins, fencing and associated structures. "

Also the following courtesy of Long John Silver from the Angus thread is an email to Angus from SCC 12th Dec 2016 outlining permitted operations at Brockham .....and so looks like if Angus didn't drill the sidetrack to a deeper depth or to a new formation, then further permits were not required, as the original well was previously drilled to the same depth through all formations that were tested this time around. Gla holders News anytime now. ;-)



Based on the information that has been provided to the County Planning Authority contained within emails dated 2 , 6 and 9 December 2016 alongside the aerial photograph provided, the County Planning Authority can confirm that it considers the list of works described in those emails would amount to maintenance works and would not require the benefit of planning permission.

Should, however, Angus Energy wish to drill any new boreholes, including new side track boreholes from the existing Brockham No.s 1, 2 or 3; to different geological formations or to a deeper depth or into any undrilled area than already drilled to , then the County Planning Authority are of the opinion that planning permission would be required for such activity and a planning application would need to be submitted.

[moneymunch] 15/3/2017 06:28

The announcement that a decision on permit approval for HH Ewt's wouldn't happen until July was a dampener on proceedings and although the results from Brockham were as hoped, .judging by Angus's share price the market obviously wants to see confirmation if commercial flow rates, and the unexpected events with SCC have been most unhelpful , and despite near term upside expectations have been temporarily dashed, Alba's potential multi-bag potential is obvious.......in the meantime the opportunity for significant gains from this rockbottom bargain low are dependent on a satisfactory conclusion with SCC followed by OGA approval for Brockham's production and Permit Approval first HH Ewt's, both expected within the next 4 months and Alba will multi-bag on confirmation of commercial recoverable flow at HH and Brockham......and Greenland's treasure chest of graphite and gold potrntial at Amitsoq could be a game changer. Gla holders..Our time will come!!! :-)

[nevgroom] 14/3/2017 11:57

Couldn't agree more Mikey - Management get fired for less, an inexcusable balls-up!

[moneymunch] 13/3/2017 10:20

DORIEMUS PLC

("Doriemus" or the "Company")

Brockham Oil Field – Onshore UK


Doriemus PLC advises further to Angus Energy Plc’s (“Angus” or “Operator̶1;) announcement on 10 March 2017, regarding the BBC London’s news article last Thursday night, that Angus (as operator of the Brockham Oil Field) is of the firm opinion that the drilling of the BR-X4Z well, which was approved by the Oil and Gas Authority (“OGA”) , Environmental Agency (“EA”) and the Health and Safety Executive (“HSE”), did not constitute a breach of the planning consents and believes that the Surrey County Council is incorrect in its assessment that the Operator acted without planning permission. The Operator beleives that the work was carried out with all the necessary approvals required under the oil field’s existing licenses that are in place until 2036 and that the well drilling was done with all the necessary approvals of the OGA, EA and the HSE. Discussions with Surrey County Council are ongoing and the Company will update the market as soon as these discussion are complete.

The Operator has stated in its recent assessment of the well analysis, that it has confidence that the Brockham X4Z sidetrack well will be similar to Horse Hill and perhaps given that the reservoir is potentially much thicker in zones, the results could be even better than those seen at the Horse Hill.

In addition, the extensive log and geochemical analysis of the recently drilled Brockham X4Z sidetrack confirms:

Brockham has very similar thickness of reservoir and properties to those reported from the very successful Horse Hill-1 well, located 8km to the south.

Logging confirms abundant natural fractures are evident in not only in the 2 thick Kimmeridge limestones themselves, but also over extensive intervals of interbedded shales and limestones within the 385 metres gross thickness of the Kimmeridge drilled in this sidetrack and around 200 metres of Kimmeridge reservoir has this new oil potential.

[moneymunch] 12/3/2017 20:47

David Lenigas‏ @DavidLenigas 5m
5 minutes ago

@opaharte @angusenergyplc The BBC's behaviour was disgraceful. They asked me for an interview and then cancelled it saying budget pressures

[moneymunch] 12/3/2017 20:06

David Lenigas‏ @DavidLenigas
@opaharte The well was drilled with all the permission required.

[moneymunch] 12/3/2017 15:46

Courtesy of Penguins on the Angus Lse thread.........it looks like game set and match with the Admission Document and Vonk's interview and so fingers crossed that Angus had their emergency meeting last week as was suggested by drill or drop, and we'll have a nice Rns Monday morning or least sometime this week with confirmation of positive clarification and all is well......get ready for a significant bounce..... Gla ;-)

Extract from P Vonk Interview

Today 12:16

From Holyroller post 4th January, interview of 22 December (and his analysis).

'3) “we are fully permitted to do our current work programme to further the production at Brockham so we are enhancing the exploration of the original well. To be very clear, we are not drilling a new well basically because we have the wells already existing at Brockam. The original well that was drilled by BP goes much much deeper than the layers that we are currently interested in and we wanted to continue production from the Portland but following Horse Hill these are very interesting layers that we have at Brockham and the wells are already there.”

Again, this blows the trolls out of the water. Note his language “we are not drilling a new well” and “we are enhancing the exploration of the existing well”. He is essentially saying that no new wells or sidetracks are needed to produce oil from the existing well and he goes on to explain that the existing well already goes down deeper than the layers that they are interested in. ie. Angus can get to the Portland, Kimmeridge and Corallian from this drill. They could even go deeper if they wanted.'

Also in Holyroller's transcript:

So you guys are out there looking to increase production and make the wells as efficient as they possibly can be. Is that fair comment?

“Completely correct. The wells are already there'

We still need an old-fashioned drilling rig to be on site so that is the one that we have on site. We are abandoning some existing boreholes and we are re-entering the old original well

[moneymunch] 12/3/2017 08:04

Angus Energy's AIM Admission Document gives a detailed report of their development plans and progress at Brockham, including the side track which would have been used in the application process with the OGA, HSE , EA and SCC , and the meeting with SCC 28th September 2016 confirms approval. Gla holders...Positive clarification will see a significant bouce in share price imho. ;-)

"(on the basis that the abandonment of one well side-track and the drilling of another is considered to be well maintenance and as such falls within the parameters of the existing planning permission). "

Admission Document.

Page 115

The recoverable volumes are contingent upon Angus achieving internal and external authorisation of its development plan and on securing adequate financing.

This includes granting an extension of the licence expiry date by UK Government and receiving the appropriate consents and permissions from OGA, the Local Council, the
EA and the HSE. Angus has informed Xodus that in respect of Brockham:

it has submitted its well proposal and drilling programme report to the HSE on 10 October 2016 and expects to receive a response 21 days later;

it has submitted its application to the EA for an environmental permit in relation to its work programme on 26 September 2016 under the Standard Rules and therefore expects that the application will be considered within a four week period and without public consultation;

the planned works will be carried out under existing planning permission;

it will submit its application for OGA consent to its work programme for Brockham once it has obtained the necessary environmental permit and confirmation from the HSE that it has no issues with its well proposal and drilling programme report.

The operational risk is deemed to be relatively small. However, the drilling and completion risk and reservoir risk is slightly higher than usual, given the historical well activity.

Page 173

Local Council

Local councils, acting as the Minerals Planning Authority for their county, district, borough or city (as the case may be), have strategic planning authority for mineral and waste developments in the UK.

Operators seeking to undertake exploratory investigations and to subsequently test for and possibly extract onshore oil or gas must apply for planning permission from the relevant local council to do so.

The application process essentially comprises two core stages:

1. The operator will conduct an initial environmental impact assessment of the work it plans to undertake under the Licence and Joint Operating Agreement and will submit this to the local council.

The local council will assess this initial environmental impact assessment to it to determine if there is a need for a full environmental impact assessment.

2. The operator can then make its initial minerals planning application to the local council.

The focus of the planning system is on whether the development is an acceptable use of the land, and the impacts of those uses, rather than any control processes, health and safety issues or emissions, where these are subject to approval under other regimes.

If the local council is satisfied as to acceptable use and impact it will grant planning permission. This application process is public and the local council will take into account the positions of the local community and other regulatory
bodies in making its decision.

In addition, operators will need to obtain local council permission for their site decommissioning and abandonment plans in so far as they relate to restoration of the site after end of life abandonment.

Following a meeting on 28 September 2016 with Surrey County Council, the Group will carry out its current work programme for Brockham in reliance on existing planning permissions (on the basis that the abandonment of one well side-track and the drilling of another is considered to be well maintenance and as such falls within the parameters of the existing planning permission).

[moneymunch] 10/3/2017 13:33

I expect there are a quite a few ( most who claim to be invested ) that'll be disappointed to see the share price bounce back, and i imagine many more will be equally disappointed ( those that have sold their shares cheaply ) when Alba's share price pushes back towards 0.4p plus.....Positive clarification from Angus and SCC should do it, and an Rns on that front can't be far away......OGA approval for Brockham to follow in the next couple of months, HH's permit approval for the extended flowtest in July and further news on Greenland anytime now......Alba is all set to multi-bag on confirmation of commercial recoverable volume later this year........the Kimmeridge Interval is oil saturated and the limestones are naturally fractured and free flowing.....the recoverable volumes potentially are breath taking Gl ;-)

BROCKHAM NEXT STEPS

Company is currently evaluating appropriate completion and production options to optimise long term well and reservoir performance from the Kimmeridge

Once the necessary OGA approval is granted, Angus Energy intends to produce from the Kimmeridge at Brockham's production facility

Targeted completion spring/summer 2017.

[moneymunch] 10/3/2017 12:10

Fake news and fake punters....gl :-)

[barnetpeter] 10/3/2017 12:05

I was happily wrong on this.....mkt not bothered it seems.

[moneymunch] 10/3/2017 12:04

Get ready for a big blue day ahead....followed by many more to come as Alba re-rates to fair value. On and Up!!! :-)))

[moneymunch] 10/3/2017 11:02

Get up there!!! ...more hapless saps mopped up on the cheap.......they want your shares!!! The traders are itching to pile back in.....Gla holders....a Blue day ahead... :-)

[moneymunch] 10/3/2017 09:55

Looks like the mm's have used this an excuse to drop the share price to grab more shares on the cheap.....only 8.5m traded 5.6m buys 2.8m sells....gl :-)

[moneymunch] 10/3/2017 09:17

Next Rns from Angus with clarification from Surrey County Council will see this bounce big time.....it actually makes SCC look stupid and inept.......everyone else new exactly what was happening at Brockham and Angus newsflow by Rns couldn't have made it more clear...the important point is that there appears to be an awful lot of oil at Brockham and HH.......and confirmation of how much is recoverable later this year will see Alba's multi-bag. Gla holders Alba's prospects and potential look as good as ever. ;-)

[moneymunch] 10/3/2017 08:59

Lol utter nonsense.....a decision on permit approval for HH Ewt's is already delayed until July....and there is no connection between HH and Brockham....different operators and different planning applications and licensing etc....gla holders...and big bounce more than likely on next Rns regarding Angus and Surrey County Council. :-)

[jimblack513] 10/3/2017 08:47

barnetpeter posting that horse-hill will be delayed now.

[moneymunch] 10/3/2017 07:14

ps The World and his wife all knew what was going on at Brockham, OGA, EA and HSE etc and Angus couldn't have made it more clear as operations were prepared and updates by Rns were made, and so i find it incredulous that SCC didn't or where confused about proceedings....gla ;-)

[moneymunch] 10/3/2017 07:05

10 March 2017

Angus Energy plc

("Angus Energy", "Angus" or the "Company")

Update on Brockham operations

Angus Energy notes the BBC London news item yesterday evening where claims were made that the Brockham X4Z well drilling was 'unauthorised'. The Company is of the firm opinion that the drilling of the BR-X4Z well, which was approved by the OGA, EA and HSE, did not constitute a breach of the planning consents. Discussions with Surrey County Council are ongoing and the Company will update the market as soon as these discussion are complete.