What role could fracking play in the UK?

Fracking has become controversial in the UK. The government announced it will fast-track fracking applications and it has offered 27 new onshore oil and gas licenses including, shale exploration. The […]

Fracking has become controversial in the UK.

The government announced it will fast-track fracking applications and it has offered 27 new onshore oil and gas licenses including, shale exploration.

The process of extracting gas from shale rocks by pumping chemicals and water underneath the ground has supporters and opponents across the country.

Corin Taylor, Director of UK Onshore Oil and Gas believes shale exploration could be good for the UK gas sector.

 

Speaking to ELN, Mr Taylor said: “At the moment we import half of our gas without shale. That’s projected to go around 80% being dependent on imports. We’re going to need gas in a long term so what shale can do is allow to replace those imports. It is a very important part of our energy mix.”

On the other hand, Hannah Martin, campaigner at Greenpeace said fracking would bring environmental consequences to local communities.

She told ELN: “Fracking affects local communities in a number of different ways, what those communities can expect if fracking happens in their local areas is an increasing noise pollution, air pollution, water contamination on ground water zones, declining house prices and increasing insurances.”

Have a look at the film and tell us what you think.

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