This is the controversial drilling rig owned by an American company that is test drilling for shale gas 2 miles away from where I live. We can't see it thank goodness or hear it for that matter but it is a bit of talking point round here. They drill down into the rock particles which is called 'fracking' to release the shale gas beneath the rock. This process has recently supposed to have stopped for tests as we have had two minor earthquakes it this area in the last two months some say caused by this drilling. They were still doing it this afternoon when I took this photo ! I took a picture of the drill bits & the cheapest one apparently costs £30,000. I won't bore you with that photo though !!!!
Ooh - now you're a photojournalist Pat - you could flog this to the BBC website (actually the BBC would want it free probably but still!) How interesting - it looks like a fairly small operation to cause an earthquake but I gave up geograpgy in 3rd form so it's not my strong point!! Georgeous day you've got up there.
@judithg Thanks Judith for the observations ...it's pretty boring stuff really but topical here anyway ! Perhaps the men will like it & find it a bit interesting ! Yes we have had a lovely day here & it's about time too, it's been so cold & wet on & off for a month now !
Pat, where do you live? That is the same kind of thing that was going on around here. I don't think much came of it, but there was a lot of public outcry about it. They are doing that not far from my house too. Some people are saying that they are ruining the water.
@grannysue I live in Lancashire on the north west coast of England. They are doing this drilling in various parts of Lancashire & there has been a lot of talk about gas getting into the water pipes & getting on fire but I haven't heard any of that round here ! We are not too happy about earth tremors though !!
I have heard that this fracking business in an environmental disaster but of course comes with much controversy. I do like your photo - lots of color against a beautiful sky. Why can't we all just keep the welfare of Mother Earth in mind.
@barbsmith@digitalrn Thank you for your observations, it's interesting to hear what other folks think ! The site itself looks very out of place where it is in the middle of a field in the countryside !
Wow what an interesting photo and an emotive topic. I do like the colours, dramatic shapes against the lovely sky. Seems quite abhorrent to have monster machinery like this, spoiling the beautiful landscape. I hope you don't have any more tremors. Maybe Mother Nature is having her say on the issue?
There is great concern here in Australia with the recent expansion of Liquified Natural Gas and the unknown effects on our precious underground water that so much of Aus, agriculture relies on. Most of these new explorations and mines etc, are taking over our prime food producing land and the government seems not to care.
@murnane@lornavale I suppose it is the inevitable hunt for new energy pushing them on & of course also the money to be made too but it is a worrying trend ! Where do you go, Nuclear, coal, wind farms or gas from some drilling some where in the world ? I must say that when we go to NZ they are lucky in the fact they are able to use Hydroelectric Power but then they have the earthquake factor being on a fault line!
what the frak? sorry, couldn't help myself. why can't they spend that time and money developing alternative energy sources? I know I know. . .silly question. grrrrrrrrrrr.
I like the detail in the pic and the , the green tractor thing ...it's a lovely composition.
I don't feel qualified to comment on the environment issues or local issues, but I like the image :)