The British government approved a new shale gas fracking permit on Oct. 6, overruling a local authority decision and boosting Britain's position as Europe's most promising shale gas exploration ground.
Britain's Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Sajid Javid gave the go-ahead for shale gas company Cuadrilla Resources Ltd. to carry out hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, at a site in northwest England.
He also said he was minded to approve a second permit but has asked for further evidence on road safety.
RELATED: UK Minister: Government Supports Fracking For Shale Gas
The government used new powers to overturn Lancashire County Council rejection of two permits in 2015 due to concerns about noise and traffic.
Britain is estimated to have substantial amounts of shale gas trapped in underground rocks and the government wants to see these resources extracted to help offset declining North Sea oil and gas output.
"We are very pleased that we can now move ahead with our shale gas exploration plans. We are confident that our operations will be safe and responsible," Cuadrilla CEO Francis Egan said in a statement.
With another shale gas fracking permit approved by a local authority earlier this year, Britain is Europe's most advanced shale gas exploration ground after projects in Poland were unsuccessful.
But it has been controversial because environmental groups say the technique causes problems including pollution of the water table.
"Instead of shoving us down a dangerous path that inevitably leads to climate change, the government should invest in renewables and energy efficiency," said Helen Rimmer, a campaigner at Friends of the Earth environmental group.
Recommended Reading
New US Rules Seek to Curb Leaks From Drilling on Public Lands
2024-03-27 - The U.S. Interior Department finalized rules aimed at limiting methane leaks from oil and gas drilling on public lands.
DOE Considers Technip, LanzaTech For $200MM ‘Breakthrough’ Technology Award
2024-03-25 - The U.S. Department of Energy funding will be used to develop technology that turns CO2 into sustainable ethylene.
Energy Transition in Motion (Week of March 22, 2024)
2024-03-22 - Here is a look at some of this week’s renewable energy news, including a new modeling tool for superhot rock.
EQT’s Toby Rice: US NatGas is a Global ‘Decarbonizing Force’
2024-03-21 - The shale revolution has unlocked an amazing resource but it is far from reaching full potential as a lot more opportunities exist, EQT Corp. President and CEO Toby Rice said in a plenary session during CERAWeek by S&P Global.
Investors: Energy Transition is on Policy-driven Life Support
2024-03-20 - Injecting private capital into the energy transition is worrisome because some projects couldn’t survive without government incentives, panelists said at CERAWeek by S&P Global.