Oil firms win four-year extension to explore ‘Gatwick gusher’ – the Telegragh

Gatwick Airport Monorail.

Gatwick Airport Monorail. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)


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English: Rural Surrey. Fields near Dunsfold in...

English: Rural Surrey. Fields near Dunsfold in the very bottom right corner of this square. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)


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English: M23 Junction 9 - Gatwick Airport Spur...

English: M23 Junction 9 – Gatwick Airport Spur Road, West Sussex. Viewed from a bridleway bridge just to the south, looking N. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This Telegraph article is a must-read for residents of Surrey and Sussex in the UK. It reports that the oil firms hoping to bring a black gold boom to parts of Surrey and Sussex have been handed a four year extension on their exploration licenses for the so-called ‘Gatwick gusher’ and nearby sites.

Source: Oil firms win four-year extension to explore ‘Gatwick gusher’ 

I have a German friend who lives in  Texas, US and he has described in enormous detail what happened when the frackers come to town – eventually, he was forced to sell his home. But Surrey and Sussex are different to Texas – they are heavily populated and most home-owners are indebted up to their eyeballs. Shall we invent a new kids’ game called ‘Fracking musical chairs?

Thoughts?

‘No deal is better than a bad deal’ claim unsubstantiated – News from Parliament – UK Parliament

English: Risk Assessment Methodology Flowchart...

English: Risk Assessment Methodology Flowchart showing different steps, input and output of this steps (Photo credit: Wikipedia)


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Don’t rely on the heavily biased British media, read the minutes of the Brexit Parliamentary Select Committee. Significantly, it reports that the Government has not carried out economic assessment of ‘no deal’.

Source: ‘No deal is better than a bad deal’ claim unsubstantiated – News from Parliament – UK Parliament

There are two interpretations. Firstly, the Government has risk assessed the downside-risk of a ‘no-deal’ and recognized that it’s political and economic suicide, so they’ve buried it, shot the messenger or sent author back to rework his sums. Secondly, the Government has been negligent and ignored strategic best practice and risk assessment tools (see flow chart). Either way, Theresa May and her government are looking a bit flakey right now and liberal observers will be alarmed at the march to the right of the political spectrum.

Whatever you may think of individual members of the parliamentary select committee, their views are increasingly important.

Thoughts?