Petroleum firm Infratstrata has secured funding to drill for oil in Co Antrim.

The firm intends to drill near Woodburn Forest, in the vicinity of Woodburn Reservior, however the Green Party has raised serious concerns.

Green Party East Belfast Councillor Ross Brown said he doesn't believe "sufficient" environmental assessments have been carried out.

Cllr Brown said: "Numerous studies have demonstrated that well casing leakage is a widespread problem. It has been estimated for example that 5% of new wells leak in the first year and by 30 years, 60% suffer from leaks."

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"Northern Ireland might be the only part of the UK that doesn’t have a Climate Bill, but that doesn’t mean it shouldn't play its part in addressing climate change – a threat that is facing us all.

"We need to keep 75% of all identified fossil fuel reserves in the ground to avoid dangerous climate change, not exploring and drilling for more."

"With abundant renewable energy potential in Northern Ireland, we can reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, and reduce our dependence on imported oil and gas, by investing in solar and wind alternatives to fossil fuels."

(CD/LM)