UK looks to boost fracking with new land access rules

The UK Government launched a consultation on the 23 May 2014 on proposals to simplify the existing procedure for shale gas and oil and deep geothermal underground drilling access (closing date for consultation is 15 August 2014)

The new proposals would simplify procedures which the government said were costly time-consuming and disproportionate for new methods of underground drilling. Oil, gas and deep geothermal companies will be able to explore their potential, and will in return provide a voluntary community payment for access.

Also on the 23 May 2014 the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change published a further report by the British Geological Survey on shale gas resources in Great Britain. The new report assesses the resources of the Jurassic shales of the Weald.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: French oil giant Total to invest in UK shale gas http://www.europeansources.info/record/french-oil-giant-total-to-invest-in-uk-shale-gas/

ESO: Background information: Shale gas and fracking - Commons Library Standard Note http://www.europeansources.info/record/shale-gas-and-fracking-commons-library-standard-note/

ESO: Background information: Public opinion stands in way of EU shale gas revolution http://www.europeansources.info/record/public-opinion-stands-in-way-of-eu-shale-gas-revolution/

UK: GOV.UK: Department of Energy and Climate Change: Press Release, 23.05.14: Government proposals to simplify deep underground access for shale gas and geothermal industries https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-proposals-to-simplify-deep-underground-access-for-shale-gas-and-geothermal-industries

UK: GOV.UK: Department of Energy and Climate Change: Open consultation. Underground Drilling Access https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/underground-drilling-access

British Geological Survey: Onshore oil and gas - BGS Weald Basin Jurassic Shale reports, May 2014 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bgs-weald-basin-jurassic-shale-reports

The Guardian, 23.05.14: No shale gas potential in Weald basin, concludes British Geological Survey http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/may/23/no-shale-gas-potential-weald-british-geological-survey-oil

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