Whatever happened to the great European fracking boom?

The European shale gas boom has not materialised in the way that some were predicting. We are a far cry from the situation a few years ago, where interest in fracking in Europe was gathering pace on the back of the successes in North America.

The United Kingdom appeared to be leading the way, with drilling activities in north-west and south-east England. Companies started snapping up exploration licences right across the continent, and prospects from Scandinavia to the Urals found themselves being eagerly appraised.

So what’s happened, and what do the prospects for Europe look like now?

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Shale Gas: Finds that form a bedrock of hope http://www.europeansources.info/record/shale-gas-europe/

ESO: Background information: German government approves fracking http://www.europeansources.info/record/german-government-approves-fracking/

ESO: Background information: Poland's shale gas revolution evaporates in face of environmental protests http://www.europeansources.info/record/polands-shale-gas-revolution-evaporates-in-face-of-environmental-protests/

ESO: Background information: Shale gas and EU energy security http://www.europeansources.info/record/shale-gas-and-eu-energy-security/

ESO: Background information: Fracking licences to be granted by government / Beauty spots still at fracking 'risk', say campaigners http://www.europeansources.info/record/fracking-licences-to-be-granted-by-government-beauty-spots-still-at-fracking-risk-say-campaigners/

European Commission: DG Environment: Policies: Energy and Environment: Environmental Aspects on Unconventional Fossil Fuels http://ec.europa.eu/environment/integration/energy/unconventional_en.htm

European Commission: DG Energy: Topics: Shale gas https://ec.europa.eu/energy/en/topics/oil-gas-and-coal/shale-gas

EurActiv, 20.03.15: Fracking costs outweigh benefits for Germany and Europe, study says http://www.euractiv.com/sections/energy/fracking-costs-outweigh-benefits-germany-and-europe-study-says-313087

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