Fracking firm IGas say Greater Manchester could become part a fracking ‘centre of excellence’ - with 300 wells.

The firm says they believe 3,500 jobs could be created around the north west region if they opened 30 shale gas sites, each with ten wells, in the region.

A report commissioned by the firm also says drilling for gas could give the economies of Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Liverpool and Warrington a £10bn boost.

The report’s figures are based on 300 wells being drilled in the region between 2017 and 2031.

It says that an average of £466m would be generated for fracking for shale gas per year over 20 years with the first three wells would be sunk by 2017.

In total the firm believes five trillion cubic feet of shale gas sits under the north west - termed the ‘Ocean Gateway’ area by IGas.

The firm also believes Greater Manchester firms could benefit from fracking through the industry’s supply chain.

The report acknowledges there may currently be a shortage of people qualified to work in fracking in the north west - but suggests skills taught to enter the industry could be taught at the region’s colleges.

IGas chief operating officer John Blaymires said: “The findings of this report highlight the Ocean Gateway region is sitting on a potential £10bn investment opportunity.

“We’re looking to develop the capacity from within the region to meet the supply chain requirements so that as many local people and firms as possible benefit from our capital investment.

“The north west has a huge opportunity to become a centre of excellence for shale gas development and technologies.

“Over time local companies will be able to export those skills nationally and ultimately abroad as other nations follow Britain’s lead in developing a safe and sustainable industry.”

The report into possible benefits of fracking was commissioned by IGas, who have carried out test drilling at Barton Moss in Salford, and firm Peel Environmental Ltd, who own the land around the site.

Hundreds of protestors set up camp in the area over several months earlier this year in a bid to disrupt the test drilling over concerns fracking could pollute the area’s water table, damage wildlife habitats and cause earth tremors.

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