Cuadrilla, the principal company pursuing shale gas exploration in the UK, has announced proposed locations for two new exploration sites in the Fylde area of Lancashire as part of its study of shale gas resources in northwest England.

The company, which would be the first to resume hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, after the UK lifted its moratorium last year, said that by summer of this year it intends to apply for planning permission to drill, frack and test the flow of gas from up to four exploration wells on each of the two sites, Roseacre Wood and Preston New Road, and that drilling could begin in 2014. Both locations are close to the company's existing operations

Cuadrilla said separate applications will also be made to install two seismic arrays to monitor the fracking process. This would allow the company to conform to UK government guidance put in place after earth tremors were linked to its earlier drilling activity.

Independent planning and environmental consultancy Arup is to prepare an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for each of the new sites, and Cuadrilla said it has begun consultation with residents and community representatives living near the two new sites.

CEO Francis Egan said the exploration firm has decided to focus on just two sites to allow it to reduce the potential impact on the local area while gathering important information it needs to determine how much gas can be recovered.

New British rules call for compensation of local communities where drilling activity takes place. According to reports said the communities affected would receive £100,000 from Cuadrilla for each of the wells.

While anti-fracking groups said the plans would meet opposition, Ken Cronin, CEO of the trade organization UK Onshore Operators Group, told the newspaper the Guardian that Cuadrilla's announcement "is excellent news for the industry and the next step toward providing indigenous sources of gas for the country."

Another industry body, Shale Gas Europe, said, "until we know how much is actually commercially viable, most conversations about the impact shale gas will have on the energy mix in the UK and the rest of Europe will remain speculative."

Cuadrilla chairman Lord Browne told the newspaper in late January that it could take five years and 20 to 40 wells before it is known whether the UK could have a viable fracking industry.