A Parliamentary Discussion on Shale Gas

We as a Government believe that shale gas fits into the potential energy mix in the United Kingdom. Even as we move towards a less carbon-intensive future, oil and gas will undoubtedly remain a vital part of our energy system for many years to come. In that context, the Government are committed to ensuring that we maximise economic recovery of UK hydrocarbon resources, both offshore and onshore. We see it as in our national interest to maximise returns on our indigenous resources. We are moving to a situation where we are net importers of gas, and there is a multi-billion-pound benefit to the UK economy from optimising our resources. We are keen for that to happen.

Charles Hendry, The Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change, 3 November 2011

Readers may wish to vist to the transcript of discussions in Parliament on shale gas development in the United Kingdom, held on Thursday against a backdrop of the release of a report which found a probable link between hydraulic fracturing and earthquakes in Lancashire.

Read the transcript from Daily Hansard  HERE