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Fracking in the pipeline as exploration blocks offered to firms Fracking in the pipeline as exploration sites offered to firms
(about 1 hour later)
The Oil & Gas Authority (OGA) - the UK's oil and gas regulator - has announced that 27 blocks of land will be formally offered to fracking companies for exploration. The UK's oil and gas regulator has announced that 27 blocks of land will be formally offered to fracking companies for exploration.
The exploration blocks include areas in the Midlands and the North East. The exploration sites include areas in the Midlands and the North East, the Oil & Gas Authority said.
A second group of 132 further blocks could be granted following a consultation.A second group of 132 further blocks could be granted following a consultation.
It comes after Energy Secretary Amber Rudd said planning decisions on fracking would be speeded up.It comes after Energy Secretary Amber Rudd said planning decisions on fracking would be speeded up.
The blocks of land, which are typically 10 sq-km, include areas near Lincoln, Nottingham, Sheffield and Preston. The blocks of land, which are typically 100 sq-km, include areas near Lincoln, Nottingham, Sheffield and Preston.
Firms including Ineos have been given the exclusive right to explore for oil and gas, including fracking. Twelve firms, including Cuadrilla and Ineos, have been given the exclusive right to explore for oil and gas, including fracking.
However, whether exploration can actually go ahead is subject to local planning consent.However, whether exploration can actually go ahead is subject to local planning consent.
UK Energy Minister Lord Bourne said: "Keeping the lights on and powering the economy is not negotiable, and these industries will play a key part in providing secure and reliable energy to UK homes and businesses for decades to come."UK Energy Minister Lord Bourne said: "Keeping the lights on and powering the economy is not negotiable, and these industries will play a key part in providing secure and reliable energy to UK homes and businesses for decades to come."
But Greenpeace campaigner Daisy Sands said that the award of the licences was "the starting gun to the fight for the future of our countryside".But Greenpeace campaigner Daisy Sands said that the award of the licences was "the starting gun to the fight for the future of our countryside".
"Hundreds of battles will spring up to defend our rural landscapes from the pollution, noise and drilling rigs that come with fracking.""Hundreds of battles will spring up to defend our rural landscapes from the pollution, noise and drilling rigs that come with fracking."
Ineos said it had been given three new shale gas exploration licences covering an area of approximately 250 sq-km in the East Midlands. Licence refused
"This is a further significant step for Ineos in its plan to become the leading player in the UK shale gas industry," it said in a statement. Last week, the government announced plans to fast-track fracking applications, saying it could take over the power to decide if councils repeatedly take longer than the 16-week statutory timeframe.
Environmentalists argue this undermines the government's pledge to give the power to decide on fracking to local people.
The announcement came after Lancashire County Council refused permission for Cuadrilla to frack at two sites. The company is appealing against the decision.
The process of fracking - where water, chemicals and sand are blasted at shale rocks to release the gas trapped within - has proved deeply unpopular among many members of the public. They are concerned about earth tremors, water contamination and disruption to rural communities.
The industry insists that many of these fears are overblown, and that fracking can be carried out safely under the right regulations.
Environmentalists also argue that gas is a fossil fuel that emits CO2 and contributes to global warming. Investment, they say, should instead be made in renewable, cleaner energies such as wind and solar.
However, the government is keen to press ahead with fracking to reduce reliance on imported energy. It looks to the example of the US, where abundant shale gas has seen energy prices fall dramatically.
But questions remain whether fracking in the UK, with a very different geology and property rights, and where there has been relatively little investment in research and development, will be possible on a commercial scale.