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Released November 12, 2019 | GALWAY, IRELAND
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Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland)--The U.K. government has ended its support for shale gas hydraulic fracturing--fracking-- due to the danger posed by tremors or minor earthquakes.
The decision comes on the back of a scientific report from the country's Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) which concluded that "it is not possible with current technology to accurately predict the probability of tremors associated with fracking." The government also stated that separate proposals to change the planning process for fracking sites will no longer be taken forward at this time, effectively halting all planned fracking projects.
The government's U-turn also comes after drilling at the country's only fracking operation at Preston New Road (PNR) site in Lancashire, owned and operated by Cuadrilla Resources (Lichfield, England), was suspended by the Oil & Gas Authority in late August when drilling caused a 2.9-magnitude earthquake.
U.K. Business and Energy Secretary Andrea Leadsom said: "Whilst acknowledging the huge potential of U.K. shale gas to provide a bridge to a zero-carbon future, I've also always been clear that shale gas exploration must be carried out safely. In the U.K., we have been led by the best available scientific evidence, and closely regulated by the Oil and Gas Authority, one of the best regulators in the world. After reviewing the OGA's report into recent seismic activity at Preston New Road, it is clear that we cannot rule out future unacceptable impacts on the local community. For this reason, I have concluded that we should put a moratorium on fracking in England with immediate effect."
She added: "Other sources of natural gas will continue to contribute to the U.K.'s diverse energy mix. The Committee on Climate Change has previously said that there will still be a requirement for natural gas in a 2050 net zero economy. Maintaining diverse gas supplies, for use during the transition as the U.K. renewable sector grows--or for the production of hydrogen--remains a priority for this government."
The U.K. relies on imports for half of its gas needs, a percentage that will grow to more than 70% by 2035. Shale gas has been championed in recent years as the best way to reduce its reliance on foreign gas. The U.K.'s shale gas resources are considerable according to the British Geological Survey, which estimates that the Bowland-Hodder (Carboniferous) shale gas play in the north of England ("Bowland Shale") contains 1,329 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of shale gas in place. The U.K.'s annual consumption of gas is around 2.5 Tcf, and according to the figures from U.K. Onshore Oil and Gas, "just 10% of the gas in place in the Bowland Shale would be sufficient for 50 years of U.K. gas consumption."
Oil and Gas Authority Director of Regulation Tom Wheeler said: "Since the OGA suspended hydraulic fracturing at Preston New Road we have been considering whether the operator's plans are still appropriate to manage the risk of induced seismicity. The OGA's considerations have been informed both by the seismic events and by independent scientific analysis of data from the first Preston New Road well. Based on these, the OGA believes that further detailed geo-mechanical analysis would be needed before we could evaluate with confidence whether hydraulic fracturing could resume in the Fylde, or elsewhere, consistent with the government's policy aims."
Last month, Industrial Info reported that Scotland had confirmed a de facto ban on fracking and other methods of developing unconventional oil and gas (UOG) resources. The ban came a year after petrochemical major INEOS (London, England) lost its legal challenge to Scotland's unofficial ban on shale gas fracking. For additional information, see October 16, 2019, article - Scotland Bans Shale Gas Fracking.
Industrial Info Resources (IIR), with global headquarters in Sugar Land, Texas, six offices in North America and 12 international offices, is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. Our European headquarters are located in Galway, Ireland. Follow IIR Europe on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn For more information on our European coverage send inquiries to info@industrialinfo.eu or visit us online at Industrial Info Europe.
The decision comes on the back of a scientific report from the country's Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) which concluded that "it is not possible with current technology to accurately predict the probability of tremors associated with fracking." The government also stated that separate proposals to change the planning process for fracking sites will no longer be taken forward at this time, effectively halting all planned fracking projects.
The government's U-turn also comes after drilling at the country's only fracking operation at Preston New Road (PNR) site in Lancashire, owned and operated by Cuadrilla Resources (Lichfield, England), was suspended by the Oil & Gas Authority in late August when drilling caused a 2.9-magnitude earthquake.
U.K. Business and Energy Secretary Andrea Leadsom said: "Whilst acknowledging the huge potential of U.K. shale gas to provide a bridge to a zero-carbon future, I've also always been clear that shale gas exploration must be carried out safely. In the U.K., we have been led by the best available scientific evidence, and closely regulated by the Oil and Gas Authority, one of the best regulators in the world. After reviewing the OGA's report into recent seismic activity at Preston New Road, it is clear that we cannot rule out future unacceptable impacts on the local community. For this reason, I have concluded that we should put a moratorium on fracking in England with immediate effect."
She added: "Other sources of natural gas will continue to contribute to the U.K.'s diverse energy mix. The Committee on Climate Change has previously said that there will still be a requirement for natural gas in a 2050 net zero economy. Maintaining diverse gas supplies, for use during the transition as the U.K. renewable sector grows--or for the production of hydrogen--remains a priority for this government."
The U.K. relies on imports for half of its gas needs, a percentage that will grow to more than 70% by 2035. Shale gas has been championed in recent years as the best way to reduce its reliance on foreign gas. The U.K.'s shale gas resources are considerable according to the British Geological Survey, which estimates that the Bowland-Hodder (Carboniferous) shale gas play in the north of England ("Bowland Shale") contains 1,329 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of shale gas in place. The U.K.'s annual consumption of gas is around 2.5 Tcf, and according to the figures from U.K. Onshore Oil and Gas, "just 10% of the gas in place in the Bowland Shale would be sufficient for 50 years of U.K. gas consumption."
Oil and Gas Authority Director of Regulation Tom Wheeler said: "Since the OGA suspended hydraulic fracturing at Preston New Road we have been considering whether the operator's plans are still appropriate to manage the risk of induced seismicity. The OGA's considerations have been informed both by the seismic events and by independent scientific analysis of data from the first Preston New Road well. Based on these, the OGA believes that further detailed geo-mechanical analysis would be needed before we could evaluate with confidence whether hydraulic fracturing could resume in the Fylde, or elsewhere, consistent with the government's policy aims."
Last month, Industrial Info reported that Scotland had confirmed a de facto ban on fracking and other methods of developing unconventional oil and gas (UOG) resources. The ban came a year after petrochemical major INEOS (London, England) lost its legal challenge to Scotland's unofficial ban on shale gas fracking. For additional information, see October 16, 2019, article - Scotland Bans Shale Gas Fracking.
Industrial Info Resources (IIR), with global headquarters in Sugar Land, Texas, six offices in North America and 12 international offices, is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. Our European headquarters are located in Galway, Ireland. Follow IIR Europe on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn For more information on our European coverage send inquiries to info@industrialinfo.eu or visit us online at Industrial Info Europe.
