The current Albury well site has a single appraisal well which harnesses gas as a means of generating electricity for the national grid. It has operated since 1987 with many local people not being aware of its existence. Access is from a private road from New Road which in turn connects via minor roads to the A25 and A248. The location is shown on the project plan.

The existing compound comprises an area of hard standing constructed over an impermeable membrane designed to seal the site for pollution prevention and control purposes. The surrounding ditch is bounded by a bank, which provides screening.

Site preparation would be minimal, comprising the construction of new well cellars as the site is already a well site. The existing hard standing will be extended by approximately 0.14 hectares to accommodate pipeline connection equipment.

The proposed wells would be drilled from the surface and, together with the associated wellhead equipment, would provide the link between the subsurface gas store and the above-ground pipeline connections.

The drilling phase for the development wells would to take about 36 weeks, with the rig and associated equipment then being removed. The drilling rig would be equipped with state-of-the-art technology promoting a quieter, faster, safer and more efficient operation than conventional rigs currently available in the UK.

The well site is not located directly above the gas store. The wells would, therefore, be drilled obliquely and would be a total of about 10,000 ft in length compared to the gas store vertical depth of some 2,100 ft below sea level.

Testing and commissioning equipment would then be mobilised and subsequently removed.