The United Kingdom suspended fracking in 2019 after exploratory drilling produced tremors. Today, the government will receive a report examining whether the task may be performed more safely.
A prominent scientist who advised the government on fracking told that the United Kingdom “might have another go” at the controversial shale gas extraction technology, which was stopped indefinitely in the United Kingdom in 2019 after exploratory drilling caused a series of tremors.
It was “appropriate,” according to Professor Peter Styles, for the government to have commissioned the British Geological Survey (BGS) to examine if fracking can be conducted more safely.
The BGS evaluation focuses on whether there have been any new technologies or procedures that could lessen the danger and amplitude of seismic occurrences induced by fracking. It is scheduled to be sent to the government on Thursday.
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng stated that, in light of the energy crisis caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the government should keep “all possible energy generation and production methods on the table,” but that his department would be guided by the science on fracking and would only lift the moratorium if it was proven to be safe, sustainable, and minimally disruptive to nearby residents.
The professor stated: “It may not be a feasible source of energy, but I believe we should attempt to comprehend it, as we should always attempt to comprehend such matters.
The more time we spend analyzing the data and having actual concrete facts, rather than relying on speculation and making decisions for political reasons, the better.
Prof. Styles helped design what became known as the “traffic light system” that established seismic thresholds within which the emerging fracking industry had to operate, and he has warned that drilling for shale gas in the United Kingdom is extremely complicated due to the country’s geology and the presence of old coal mines.
However, when asked whether it was appropriate to resume fracking in this country, he responded: “I believe a few experiments would be beneficial.
“I believe we could try again, but I’m unsure if we would.”
‘Very unsettling and unnerving’
Fracking is a controversial extraction technique that can create earthquakes and has historically received little approval from the public.
It includes drilling deep underground into shale rock and pumping a high-pressure mixture of water, gas, and chemicals into the rock.
The shale subsequently fractures, releasing the trapped gas to the surface.
Cuadrilla has attempted to conduct exploratory drilling at two sites in Lancashire.
Once in 2011 and again in 2019 when a magnitude 2.9 earthquake prompted the government to act and prevent fracking indefinitely, work was halted at both sites.
Residents of the area were relieved.
Chris and Susan Holliday reside in the village of Little Plumpton in Lancashire.
The 2.9 magnitude earthquake occurred at Cuadrilla’s Preston New Road drilling site, which is adjacent to their residence.
Mr. Holliday said: “When it occurred, we were in the kitchen, and the crockery in the cabinets rattled and the windows shook.
“It is quite uncomfortable, very unnerving, and very, very distressing to live with this, particularly in our case, only about 500 meters from our homes.
It is not what you desire.
People refused to listen to us.
Activist colleague Barbara Richardson stated: “Initially, it was difficult because no one would listen to us. We were referred to as green blobs, among other abuses.
We were ordinary individuals who realized the harm this enterprise would cause and felt compelled to oppose it.
Miranda Cox, an anti-fracking campaigner, remarked: “It is a highly disruptive and controversial industry.
“The more you learn about the business and its environmental, social, and emotional repercussions, the more I believe people would realize that they wouldn’t want it, that they wouldn’t want it on their doorstep.”
Francis Egan, the chief executive officer of Cuadrilla, notes that even the most ambitious climate change goals require the use of gas for decades to come.
He stated: “The shale gas business in the United Kingdom has been demonized openly.
“We have adhered to all regulations. We have followed official policy and are attempting to extract a product that nearly everyone in the country utilizes.”
However, his primary complaint is that the fracking business is subject to tougher seismicity criteria than comparable industries.
He said: “If fracking is harmful, then construction, mining, and geothermal energy are all unsafe as well.
Therefore, if the government wants to shut down fracking on the basis that it is unsafe, it must also shut down the country’s building industry.
There are numerous unknowns associated with hydraulic fracturing.
If fracking were to resume, a substantial amount of the activity would occur in the north of England, where the Bowland Shale Formation, which extends from coast to coast, is located.
But beyond that, there is little clarity.
It is difficult to address these issues unless exploration commences, as it is unknown how much gas is present, its quality, or whether it is recoverable.
In a time when we should be expanding investment in clean energy, this, according to climate change activists, would be disastrous.
Jamie Peters, a spokesperson for Friends of the Earth, stated: “I believe it has been thoroughly demonstrated why we shouldn’t frack.
“The fundamental cause is that a climate emergency has occurred. It is embarrassing and incomprehensible to conceive of a fresh fossil fuel business.
You can either support climate action or support shale, but not both.
Regarding whether or not there is an economic basis for fracking, there is little consensus.
Professor Dieter Helm, who has advised the government on energy policy, warns that unlike in the United States, where the shale gas industry is growing, fracking does not make sense in the United Kingdom.
He said: “In the United States, there are expansive plains, a low population density, and consistent rock formations, therefore there are no major issues.
“Consider the geography and population density of the United Kingdom, as well as the complexity of the geology, and consider the logistics needed in bringing products to market.
“The question is whether it is economical, sensible, and, in a complex scenario like the United Kingdom, if it also makes local environmental sense – and my view is no.”
Andy Mayer, an energy economist at the Institute for Economic Affairs, argues otherwise.
He said: “We will want oil and gas for at least the next 20 to 30 years, and possibly longer.
“The only remaining question is whether or not we will extract it from beneath our own feet, which is the essence of fracking. Or will we import it from nations such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia, or Lord forbid, Russia?
“If we do this, we will be exporting all the opportunities created by the oil and gas business and paying their taxes.”
No “negative effects for the British public”
Additionally, fracking has become a very politicized subject.
Craig Mackinlay is the chairman of the Net Zero Scrutiny Group, a group of Conservative MPs that oppose the government’s climate goals.
He said: “With shale gas production will come a great deal of investment, employment, and tax money for the Treasury, all of which we require.
“There will be no government funding, only private funding, namely from large firms.
“If it works, it works; I wish them well. If it does not, they have made a failed investment. If it works, I see no downsides for the British public, only benefits.”
“If we have it at our feet, let’s use it for the love of God!”
Mark Menzies, whose Fylde seat in Lancashire received the brunt of the initial drilling attempts, has had enough of the fracking business.
As far as I’m concerned, they’ve lost their operating license, he stated.
“I cannot in any way trust them.
“The government would be foolish to give Preston New Road another green light. Two nationwide bans speak volumes.”
Olivia Blake, shadow minister for the environment for Labour, said: “This review is a waste of time, energy, effort, and money.
“I believe that we should be concentrating on the present, fixing the cost of living crisis, enhancing our energy security through renewables, and ensuring that we are concentrating on what the people want”.
