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Released October 16, 2019 | GALWAY, IRELAND
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Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland)--Scotland has confirmed a de facto ban on hydraulic fracturing, or 'fracking,' and other methods of developing unconventional oil and gas (UOG) resources.
The ban comes a year after petrochemical major INEOS (London, England) lost its legal challenge to Scotland's unofficial ban on shale gas fracking. At the time, the judge ruled that there was no official fracking ban through legislation in place. This time around the government has insured that there will not be a repeat of that scenario by setting out a finalised policy of no support for UOG development in Scotland. It means that the government "will not issue licences for new UOG development", and that Scotland's planning framework will not support development using unconventional oil and gas extraction techniques, including coal bed methane and hydraulic fracturing.
The policy comes on the back of a "comprehensive period of evidence-gathering and consultation, including environmental and business assessments."
"The Scottish Government's final policy position is that we do not support the development of unconventional oil and gas -- often known as 'fracking' - in Scotland," commented Scottish Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse. "That decision followed consideration of many factors, including the significant negative effects that UOG development could have on our natural environment and the health and wellbeing of communities, while bearing in mind the overwhelming feedback from the public that this should not be permitted in Scotland. After a comprehensive evidence-gathering exercise, we have concluded that the development of onshore unconventional oil and gas is incompatible with our policies on climate change, energy transition and the decarbonisation of our economy. Fracking can only happen if licences are issued and we do not intend to issue any licences which would permit that."
Just over two years ago, Industrial Info reported that neighbouring Ireland banned fracking with its support for the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development (Prohibition of Onshore Hydraulic Fracturing) Bill 2016. It joined Germany, France and Bulgaria in outlawing onshore fracking.
However, just south of Scotland's border, England is fully supportive of fracking. The only project to date to receive permission is the Preston New Road (PNR) site in Lancashire, under development by shale gas company Cuadrilla Resources (Lichfield, England). Just one of four planned wells has been drilled and in August the company announced that it was seeking a planning extension to 2021 to continue drilling. For additional information, see August 14, 2019, article - Drilling Extension Sought for U.K.'s First Fracking Project.
However, last week fracking equipment was removed from the site following the suspension of drilling operations in late August by the U.K.'s Oil & Gas Authority when drilling caused a 2.9-magnitude earthquake. Cuadrilla has confirmed that equipment from the first well has a been removed and that the company plans to begin flow testing its second horizontal shale gas--which does not involve fracking.
Despite the setback, Cuadrilla's Chief Executive Officer Francis Egan commented: "Our second horizontal shale well was partially fractured in August, and I am pleased that we are moving to flow test it in the next few weeks. We believe that this will further demonstrate the huge commercial opportunity here. Given the lower carbon footprint of U.K. shale gas compared to that of gas imported by ship from overseas, it clearly makes sense to look to develop this local resource rather than increasing reliance on imports. In addition, U.K. shale gas has the potential to act as a domestic feedstock for hydrogen production, which can help the U.K. reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050."
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 ban comes a year after petrochemical major INEOS (London, England) lost its legal challenge to Scotland's unofficial ban on shale gas fracking. At the time, the judge ruled that there was no official fracking ban through legislation in place. This time around the government has insured that there will not be a repeat of that scenario by setting out a finalised policy of no support for UOG development in Scotland. It means that the government "will not issue licences for new UOG development", and that Scotland's planning framework will not support development using unconventional oil and gas extraction techniques, including coal bed methane and hydraulic fracturing.
The policy comes on the back of a "comprehensive period of evidence-gathering and consultation, including environmental and business assessments."
"The Scottish Government's final policy position is that we do not support the development of unconventional oil and gas -- often known as 'fracking' - in Scotland," commented Scottish Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse. "That decision followed consideration of many factors, including the significant negative effects that UOG development could have on our natural environment and the health and wellbeing of communities, while bearing in mind the overwhelming feedback from the public that this should not be permitted in Scotland. After a comprehensive evidence-gathering exercise, we have concluded that the development of onshore unconventional oil and gas is incompatible with our policies on climate change, energy transition and the decarbonisation of our economy. Fracking can only happen if licences are issued and we do not intend to issue any licences which would permit that."
Just over two years ago, Industrial Info reported that neighbouring Ireland banned fracking with its support for the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development (Prohibition of Onshore Hydraulic Fracturing) Bill 2016. It joined Germany, France and Bulgaria in outlawing onshore fracking.
However, just south of Scotland's border, England is fully supportive of fracking. The only project to date to receive permission is the Preston New Road (PNR) site in Lancashire, under development by shale gas company Cuadrilla Resources (Lichfield, England). Just one of four planned wells has been drilled and in August the company announced that it was seeking a planning extension to 2021 to continue drilling. For additional information, see August 14, 2019, article - Drilling Extension Sought for U.K.'s First Fracking Project.
However, last week fracking equipment was removed from the site following the suspension of drilling operations in late August by the U.K.'s Oil & Gas Authority when drilling caused a 2.9-magnitude earthquake. Cuadrilla has confirmed that equipment from the first well has a been removed and that the company plans to begin flow testing its second horizontal shale gas--which does not involve fracking.
Despite the setback, Cuadrilla's Chief Executive Officer Francis Egan commented: "Our second horizontal shale well was partially fractured in August, and I am pleased that we are moving to flow test it in the next few weeks. We believe that this will further demonstrate the huge commercial opportunity here. Given the lower carbon footprint of U.K. shale gas compared to that of gas imported by ship from overseas, it clearly makes sense to look to develop this local resource rather than increasing reliance on imports. In addition, U.K. shale gas has the potential to act as a domestic feedstock for hydrogen production, which can help the U.K. reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050."
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.
