Official Gazette Confirms Revocation of French Shale Gas Licenses
Today’s publication of a notice in France's Official Gazatte has confirmed the repeal of three licenses granted for shale gas exploration to Total SA and Schuepbach Energy.
The publcation confirmed the government's initial announcement on October 3rd, revoking the Montelimar license granted to Total and the Nant and Villeneuve-de-Berg licenses granted to Schuepbach.
The licenses issued in March 2010, cover an area of 9,672 km square in seven departments of Ardeche, Drome, Vaucluse, Gard, Hérault, Aveyron and Lozère in the south of France.
No action was indicated against the remaing 61 licenses granted for oil and gas activities throughout the country, including those in the Paris Basin shale oil play.
Christophe de Margerie, chief executive of Total, has warned French authorities that their actions in preventing the exploration of unconventional gas resources were endangering the energy security of the country.