Northern Economies to see Huge Jobs and Investment Boost From Shale Gas Supply

The report, Shale Gas – Creating a Supply Hub for the Bowland Shale, is published by AMION Consulting and commissioned by Peel Gas & Oil. The report is being launched 16th April, in Birmingham at Shale World – the UK’s biggest shale gas conference. The report extends the 2014 AMION study into the potential impact of shale gas development in the Ocean Gateway area to consider the potential supply chain benefits across the entire Bowland Shale area.

The figures are based on the development of 100 well pad sites in the Bowland Shale, covering the Midlands and North of England. It is estimated that developing the sector will generate a spend of around £30 billion up to 2048. The development of a co-located supply chain could see the Bowland Shale area retain twice the amount of this expenditure in the region than without a supply hub.

The report also identifies that the Bowland Shale, and in particular the Ocean Gateway area stretching from the port of Liverpool to Manchester, could become a UK and international ‘centre of excellence’.

Myles Kitcher, Peel Gas & Oil Managing Director, said:

“Creating a prosperous supply chain to service the Bowland Shale could be transformational in driving the Northern Powerhouse economies. From cementing services and steel supplies to water management and infrastructure, the opportunities are abundant.

“The findings of this report demonstrate the huge benefits that are on offer but we need to act quickly or we risk losing out to other countries who are already active in the sector. By clustering activities together we have the opportunity to create an international centre of excellence for the industry.”

Robert Hough, Chair of Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), said:

“We welcome this report as it helps to highlight the potential significance of the Shale Gas industry for local businesses.

“It is, in fact, an area the LEP itself has been giving consideration to and indeed we are currently working with partners to evaluate the potential for the LiverpoolCity Region economy to benefit from shale development.”

Mark Whitworth, Peel Ports CEO, said:

“Opportunities to grow the economy of the North of England need to be embraced, and the new report by AMION Consulting has identified the positive impact that a supply hub in the Bowland Shale will have on job creation and investment to the area.

“Peel Ports has extensive experience of handing steel, aggregates and mechanical items as a terminal operator. With the strategic assets and infrastructure already in place in the region, we are best placed to support the development of a supply chain for the industry and help make the most of the Bowland Shale for the benefit of the North.”

The report highlights a delivery strategy for the creation of a supply hub, including attracting major suppliers to the hub area; building a pipeline to link well pad sites to energy intensive industries; and investment in research and skills development.

Part of the privately owned Peel Group, Peel Gas & Oil was recently launched to act as a strategic development partner for current and prospective onshore license holders. The Peel Group has a unique range of assets to provide critical port services; road rail and water networks and land and property within easy access of the identified regional licence areas.

For further information on Peel Gas & Oil or to download a copy of the report visit www.peelgasandoil.co.uk