GAS company Third Energy has announced that it will today submit an application today to carry out test fracks in Ryedale. 

The application, which will be submitted to North Yorkshire County Council, is to hydraulically fracture five zones at the company’s existing KM8 well in Kirby Misperton. 

If successful, gas will then be produced from one of more of the formations tested into Third Energy's existing production facilities for electricity. 

Operations director John Dewar said that the company had reached a milestone today. 

He said: "Submitting this application is an important milestone in the project to establish the potential to produce gas from the Bowland strata beneath North Yorkshire. 

"We know that gas is present but it is only by actually hydraulically stimulating the rock that we can understand the potential of the gas to flow and the likely volumes that can be produced.

"We are proud of our 20 year history of safe and low key operations in North Yorkshire and this project is designed to continue in the same way." 

The company is also in the process of applying to the Environment Agency for the necessary permits for the project including a bespoke mining waste operation permit and a non-hazardous mining waste facility. 

Third Energy will also need the Environment Agency to approve a bespoke radioactive permit and a bespoke groundwater activity permit. 

Campaign group Frack Free Ryedale has said they will continue to oppose the application. 

Chris Redston of the group said: "Frack Free Ryedale are very disappointed to see that Third Energy is continuing with their application to frack at Kirby Misperton, and we will be vigorously opposing the application. 

The application documents will be available to view at North Yorkshire County Council offices in Northallerton and online once the application has been validated. Visit northyorks.gov.uk