UK Energy Secretary Ed Davey told a parliamentary group that a public awareness campaign is needed to promote shale gas and dispel what he calls “myths” about hydraulic fracturing. He also said the government will promote unconventional oil and gas to the public.
Recently, the British Geological Survey estimated the Carboniferous Bowland shale in the central UK onshore has 822-2,281 tcf of gas in place. The higher estimate came in a 46-page report, although researchers said the proportion that it may be possible to extract is unknown (OGJ Online, June 27, 2013).
Opponents to fracturing suggest the practice can cause earthquakes, pollute ground water, damage wells, and lead to methane gas emissions.
Davey noted that industry’s main challenge is to win over the public’s trust.
“Because those myths have taken hold in some areas, and sometimes when a myth takes hold it’s quite difficult to dispel it,” he told a cross-party parliamentary group on unconventional oil and gas on July 10.
