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United Kingdom and fracking
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Fracking was taking place at Blackpool in the UK until a 2011 tremor later traced to fracking resulted in a temporary ban.[1]
On December 13, 2012, the British government lifted its ban on fracking, allowing companies to continue their exploration of shale gas reserves. Energy Secretary Edward Davey said the decision was subject to new controls to limit the risks of seismic activity.[2] In December 2012 the UK Government announced they would initiate tax incentives for the extraction of shale gas (fracking) during its Budget 2013 measures.[3]
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Government studies on safety and reserves
In 2010, a British Geological Survey estimated that, based on experience in the US, UK shales could hold 150 billion cubic metres of gas, equivalent to roughly two years' of UK demand.[4]
In September 2011, Cuadrilla announced it had discovered 200 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of Gas in Place within the Bowland shale in Lancashire.[5]
In April 2012, a UK government report recommended UK exploration of shale gas. The experts published the 2012 findings after reviewing a series of post-earthquake studies published by Cuadrilla Resources. The 2012 expert report suggested tighter rules on seismic monitoring and drilling surveys.[6]
On May 20, 2012, the UK's Independent "learned that industry experts made clear at a meeting attended by senior ministers, including David Cameron and Ed Davey, the Lib Dem energy secretary, that the UK's [gas] reserves were smaller than first thought and could be uneconomical to extract." While some shale gas exploration in the UK could still go ahead, it will be "very cautionary", with tight regulations on both environmental impacts and the effects on people living near by.[7]
Tremors
In May 2011, the UK firm Cuadrilla Resources was forced to halt operations near Blackpool in northwest England after fracking triggered tremors, leading to a temporary ban on fracking.[6]
UK energy plans
In March 2012, David Cameron's independent Committee on Climate Change announced new rules that would block any more coal-fired power stations without carbon capture and storage, but allow gas power until 2045, which some argue might encourage future fracking in the area.[1] In September 2012 UK climate and energy secretary Ed Davey said the government was planning to add 20GW of electricity generation capacity from gas by 2030.[8]
Reports
The 2013 Grantham Institute for Climate Change report, "A UK ‘dash’ for smart gas," found that, in the short term, new gas-fired power stations could help cut carbon emissions, but only if they replace existing coal-fired power stations rather than nuclear plants or renewable energy sources. Beyond the 2020s, the report recommends that gas-fired power stations should only play a significant role if fitted with carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology, and therefore the UK should not build too many new gas plants. The report also stated that there are large areas of uncertainty around future gas prices and shale reserves.
Companies
Resources
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Matt Chorley, "Tories' dash for gas risks climate target: Go green, vote blue, said David Cameron, but even his environment adviser thinks difficult decisions are being put off," The Independent, Sep. 9, 2012.
- ↑ "Fracking Green Light Sends Shockwaves Across UK," EcoWatch, Dec. 13, 2012.
- ↑ "UK offer tax incentives for fracking" Leitrim Observer, January 4, 2013.
- ↑ Matt Chorley, "Government backtracks on fracking: Ministers decide there is not enough gas under UK to justify controversial 'earthquake' drilling," The Independent, May 20, 2012.
- ↑ "About Natural Gas," Cuadrilla Resources, accessed Dec. 2012.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Stan Scobie, Binghamton, "Shale gas fracking gets green light in Britain," Reuters, Apr 17, 2012.
- ↑ Matt Chorley, "Government backtracks on fracking: Ministers decide there is not enough gas under UK to justify controversial 'earthquake' drilling," The Independent, May 20, 2012.
- ↑ Fiona Harvey, "Twenty gas-fired power stations planned for the UK," The Guardian, Sep. 28, 2012.
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