Drilling for oil

11:50am Tuesday 13th May 2008

I worked in the oil industry and probably know more about the business than most people. Conservationists don't want oil wells in their backyard but they are nonetheless consumers - they are in self denial.

Fuel for transport is the thing most associated with oil but it is also used for an endless list of everyday products that we all benefit from.

I strongly object to Chichester District Council trying to deny the oil company permission to drill for oil (The Argus, May 8).

The drilling rig is only the start.

Once the holes have been drilled, it is dismantled and only used again to clean the bores once ever five years or so. How many of the conservationists have driven past the oilfield at Parham, Storrington, on the A283 without even knowing it is there? It is within 50 yards of the road.

We need another fuel for transport.

However, petrol and diesel are such simple and convenient fuels. Do not deny us the chance of easy access to this source of energy. We are well placed for oil to be piped into Fawley, Hampshire, for refining.

As for the issue of noise, the drill rigs are not as bad as normal traffic noise. It is better to have our own fuel than to import it from Russia.

• Ray Fletcher, High Street, Brighton

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