10.2 The Bowland Shale in Lancashire is the most advanced opportunity for the first significant shale extraction field in the UK. It is currently being explored by Cuadrilla Resources, an independent oil and gas company based in Staffordshire. A UK Petroleum Exploration and Development Licence (PEDL) was granted to Cuadrilla in September 2008 which allows the company to pursue shale gas exploration activities in the Bowland Shale.