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| UK government hands out new fracking licences | UK government hands out new fracking licences |
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| The government’s controversial attempt to establish a shale gas industry in the UK took another step forward on Thursday as it handed out new licences for onshore gas and oil exploration in 159 blocks, in a move campaigners say could open up swaths of the country to the controversial practice of fracking. | The government’s controversial attempt to establish a shale gas industry in the UK took another step forward on Thursday as it handed out new licences for onshore gas and oil exploration in 159 blocks, in a move campaigners say could open up swaths of the country to the controversial practice of fracking. |
| Before companies can go ahead and start producing oil and gas commercially, they have to submit to a series of safety and environmental checks, though campaigners have always maintained these are insufficiently tough. | Before companies can go ahead and start producing oil and gas commercially, they have to submit to a series of safety and environmental checks, though campaigners have always maintained these are insufficiently tough. |
| Oil and Gas Authority chief executive, Andy Samuel, said: “I am pleased that the 14th onshore round attracted strong interest and a high quality of proposed work programmes. This round enables a significant amount of the UK’s shale prospects to be taken forward to be explored and tested. | Oil and Gas Authority chief executive, Andy Samuel, said: “I am pleased that the 14th onshore round attracted strong interest and a high quality of proposed work programmes. This round enables a significant amount of the UK’s shale prospects to be taken forward to be explored and tested. |
| “Upon acceptance of these offers, applicants will be issued with licences and will be able to begin planning their future strategies for exploration activities. These will be subject to further local planning, safety, environmental and other authorisations.” | “Upon acceptance of these offers, applicants will be issued with licences and will be able to begin planning their future strategies for exploration activities. These will be subject to further local planning, safety, environmental and other authorisations.” |
| The oil and gas industry claims that the development of a successful fracking industry is essential to reduce the UK’s dependence on overseas energy. | The oil and gas industry claims that the development of a successful fracking industry is essential to reduce the UK’s dependence on overseas energy. |
| “At the beginning of this century, we were energy independent, producing enough oil and gas from the North Sea to provide for everyone in the UK,” said Ken Cronin, chief executive of UKOOG, the body that represents the UK oil and gas industry. | “At the beginning of this century, we were energy independent, producing enough oil and gas from the North Sea to provide for everyone in the UK,” said Ken Cronin, chief executive of UKOOG, the body that represents the UK oil and gas industry. |
| “Today we are dependent for nearly 50% of our oil and gas from overseas and that is going to rise to over 75% in the next 15 years without further onshore production,” he added. | “Today we are dependent for nearly 50% of our oil and gas from overseas and that is going to rise to over 75% in the next 15 years without further onshore production,” he added. |
| Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos, the chemicals giant based in Switzerland and London, was one of the biggest winners, with 21 licences. Ratcliffe said: “We are delighted with today’s announcement. The UK government has demonstrated it is determined to move forward with this exciting new industry. This is the start of a shale gas revolution that will transform manufacturing in the UK. Ineos has the skills to safely extract the gas and we have already committed to both fully consult and to share the rewards with the local communities.” | Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos, the chemicals giant based in Switzerland and London, was one of the biggest winners, with 21 licences. Ratcliffe said: “We are delighted with today’s announcement. The UK government has demonstrated it is determined to move forward with this exciting new industry. This is the start of a shale gas revolution that will transform manufacturing in the UK. Ineos has the skills to safely extract the gas and we have already committed to both fully consult and to share the rewards with the local communities.” |
| The majority of the Ineos licence wins are in former mining communities of the north-west, north Yorkshire and the east Midlands. | The majority of the Ineos licence wins are in former mining communities of the north-west, north Yorkshire and the east Midlands. |
| Campaigners warned that the licences mean vast swaths of British countryside have been opened up to fracking. Greenpeace energy campaigner Hannah Martin said: “Just days after an historic agreement at the Paris climate summit to move towards a renewable energy future – the UK government’s gung ho approach to a new fossil fuel industry is bizarre and irresponsible. | |
| “The future economic benefits of fracking are often touted as a key argument for investment in shale gas drilling. But when companies like Cuadrilla are majority owned by firms based in offshore tax havens, it raises serious questions about where the profits would go.” | |
| On Wednesday MPs voted to allow fracking under Britain’s national parks, drawing accusations that the government had sneaked the measure through parliament without a proper debate. | On Wednesday MPs voted to allow fracking under Britain’s national parks, drawing accusations that the government had sneaked the measure through parliament without a proper debate. |
| Martin added: “Even worse, the government seems to be saying it’s open season on the UK’s rural landscapes – forcing fracking on a reluctant public and on our most precious areas ... now that fracking under national parks and other protected areas has been pushed through – it seems that nowhere is sacred.” |