GENERAL   ENVIRONMENTAL   
LOCAL EFFECTS   ECONOMIC BENEFITS

GENERAL

Q What kind of offshore development would there be? How close to the shore?
A The development would consist of two small platforms and an array of wind turbines. The precise location will be subject to consultation.

Q Who are Eclipse?
A Eclipse is a new British independent energy company. It's personnel, advisors and contractors are all highly experienced in offshore energy operations.

Q How does the size of your reservoir compare with those in the North Sea?
A The reservoirs are considerably smaller than many of those on production in the North Sea.

Q How large is the gas field in comparison to the Morecambe gas field?
A The two Eclipse fields are relatively small in comparison to the Morecambe Bay fields. They are approximately 1% of the size.

Q I understand the gas reserves are small and will not last long. What happens after they are depleted?
A After depletion of the gas reserves over 6 to 12 years, the platform may well be removed for reuse elsewhere. The wind turbines will remain in production.

Q Will you be consulting fishing interests about the best site for the plant?
A The facilities will be modest in size. The location will be decided subsequent to consultation to minimise any conflict with shipping or fishing activity.

Q How long will the whole operation take and when will it start?
A We submitted our Environmental Statement in July 2005 and gained approval in February 2006. Construction is due to start during 2009.

Q I understand you are building an offshore wind farm as well as the Gas platform, where will it be?
A The wind farm and gas turbine platform are to be sited approximately 9.5km west of Walney island, Barrow-in-Furness.

Q What will we see? What size of platform would be used?
A The platform will be a small-scale installation minimising the visual intrusion. Adjacent to the platform will be the wind turbines. View photomontage

Q What time of the year will you be drilling? How many wells will there be?
A The precise timing of drilling operations will be subject to consultation. Our present plans require no more than three production wells to be drilled throughout the life of the project.

Q Are electric cables on the seabed safe?
A In common with most other sub-sea cables, our cable will be buried beneath the seabed.

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ENVIRONMENTAL

Q What measures will be taken into account to minimise bird strike on the turbine blades?
A Studies carried out in the USA and elsewhere indicate bird strike fatalities are minimal. Eclipse will monitor any further data obtained on this issue

Q Will the rig be lit up at night?
A The platform would have some illumination at night to ensure safety with regard to ship and aircraft movements.

Q If oil gets onto the beach at Walney Island, will there be damage to wildlife?
A We are not producing oil, only gas.

Q If you are burning the gas to generate electricity, will you be flaring it off shore? Won't this affect the ecology of the area?
A We do not intend to flare gas other than during the construction and commissioning phase if at all.

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LOCAL EFFECTS

Q We already have wind farms here, why do we need one in the sea as well?
A The government has recognised that fossil fuel use cannot be sustained and has made a commitment to help promote energy from renewable sources. To meet these energy requirements wind farms will need to be bigger and to move into the sea.

Q Have you consulted with the local council & residents?
A We are now engaged in our full programme of consultation.

Q Would there be an increase in road traffic?
A We do not expect day-to-day operations to cause an increase in road traffic.

Q Which harbours will be used as a supply base for the work?
A No decision has yet been made.

Q How much of this can be seen from our seaside resorts?
A A detailed visual impact assessment has been produced, you can view the findings in the Non Technical Summary.

Q What effect will developments such as pipelines have on the local people?
A The project will not be exporting it's energy by pipeline.

Q Will you use Walney airport?
A No plans have yet been made on use of specific local infrastructure. Aircraft movements to the platform will be infrequent, and will normally be during daylight hours. Generally boats will be used for movements to and from the platform and wind turbines.

Q What evidence of your operation will there be on land?
A Onshore we will require a control room and shore base to support offshore operations, this is likely to be with the ABP facilities in Barrow-in-Furness. The export cable would cross Morecambe Bay and tie into an existing switchyard near Heysham.

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ECONOMIC BENEFITS

Q What is in it for Barrow & Cumbria?
A The potential benefits for Barrow & Cumbria include a number of long-term jobs and a position in the forefront of an industry, which is expected to show significant growth over the next decade and beyond. With the port facilities and engineering skill base of the area, the area is in a strong position to benefit from this activity.

Q Will the Barrow shipbuilding industry get the work of constructing the production platform and the wind generators?
A Tenders for construction will of necessity be compliant with EU competition rules. Clearly the area has an existing skill base applicable to offshore fabrication, and we hope that local contractors will submit proposals.

Q Will local workers be employed in the construction of the production facilities?
A Ultimately that will be decided by the construction contractors, but the Company would like to see local participation in the project.

Q How many long-term jobs will be created in running the plant?
A Our expectation is that approximately twelve long-term jobs will be created to operate and maintain the facilities. Other support and supply businesses may follow.

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