ABC: Leading scientists say unconventional gas is 'safe' if extracted carefully

Leading scientists from around the world have gathered in Sydney, to make the case for developing massive unconventional gas resources, despite widespread global opposition.

In a panel discussion at the Unconventional Gas Opportunities and Challenges conference, experts agreed unconventional gas exploration can be done in a safe manner, if it is regulated.

Geoffrey Maitland, professor of energy engineering at Imperial College in London, said unconventional gas was an environmentally friendly option, as gas supplies continue to diminish in the United Kingdom.

"It will give us security of supply, rather than the current imports that we get from Norway, or a lot of LNG which is very Co2 intensive," said. MORE