FT: Total deal shines spotlight on UK shale pioneers

French oil major Total’s shale gas announcement on Monday was a key turning point for the UK industry. It brought a heavyweight into a sector dominated by companies most people have never heard of.

Total acquired a 40 per cent stake in two exploration licences in the East Midlands, in a geological basin known as the Gainsborough Trough that is thought to be rich in gas.

It is a bold move that puts the French energy group in the vanguard of efforts – heavily supported by the UK government – to transplant America’s shale gas revolution on to British soil.  

But it also shines a spotlight on a small group of obscure companies that will be Total’s partners in the project. Dart Energy, Egdon Resources, IGas and eCorp are virtually unknown outside the UK oil industry, but for years they have been leading the push to unlock Britain’s sizeable shale gas bounty.  MORE