fracturing of more than 3,000 natural gas and oil wells across the world. Cuadrilla is aiming to be a “model company” for unconventional exploration in the UK. It is acutely aware of the responsibilities this brings, particularly with regard to safety, environmental protection and working with local communities.

Although exploration for natural gas from shale is still in its infancy in this country, the Government believes that the UK is well placed to become the leading player in an emerging energy industry. Natural gas from shale could increase the country’s self-sufficiency and secure investment and jobs for local communities across the country.

In the United Kingdom we are pioneering natural gas exploration, recovering gas from shale rock. We currently have a number of exploration sites in the Bowland Shale basin in Lancashire. In addition, we also have a production site at Elswick which has been generating electricity from natural gas since 1993.

All of Cuadrilla's work is highly regulated by the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC), the Environment Agency, the Health and Safety Executive and the relevant local authority. In Lancashire this is Lancashire County Council.

Cuadrilla has some 70 staff in the UK both directly employed and through contractors, mostly based at the well sites. The main contracting partner in the UK is PR Marriott Drilling Ltd based in Chesterfield, which has over 60 years of drilling experience in Britain.

Cuadrilla is privately owned by its management team and two investors, AJ Lucas and Riverstone LLC. The company is registered in the UK.