Half of Britain to be opened up to fracking

[-:Undertaker:-]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/ene...-fracking.html

Half of Britain to be opened up to fracking

The Department for Energy and Climate Change is expected to launch the "14th onshore licensing round", inviting companies to bid for fracking rights in previously untouched areas of the UK

Michael Fallon, the former energy secretary, has described shale as an "exciting prospect"

Ministers are this week expected to offer up vast swathes of Britain for fracking in an attempt to lure energy companies to explore shale oil and gas reserves.

The Department for Energy and Climate Change is expected to launch the so-called “14th onshore licensing round”, which will invite companies to bid for the rights to explore in as-yet untouched parts of the country.

The move is expected to be hugely controversial because it could potentially result in fracking taking place across more than half of Britain. Industry sources said the plans could be announced at a press conference tomorrow.

The Government is a big proponent of fracking and last year revealed that it would “step up the search” for shale gas and oil.

Ministers said they would offer energy companies the chance for rights to drill across more than 37,000 square miles, stretching from central Scotland to the south coast.

Michael Fallon, the former energy minister, has previously described shale as “an exciting prospect, which could bring growth, jobs and energy security”.

A previous government-commissioned report said as many as 2,880 wells could be drilled in the new licence areas, generating up to a fifth of the country’s annual gas demand at peak and creating as many as 32,000 jobs.

However, the report warned that communities close to drilling sites could see a large increase in traffic. Residents could face as many as 51 lorry journeys each day for three years, the study said.

It also warned of potential strain on facilities for handling the waste water generated by hydraulic fracturing, the process known as fracking, which involves pumping water, sand and chemicals into rocks at high pressure to extract gas.

There were also concerns over the potential environmental impact on the countryside.

Controversies include plans to offer land within national parks, despite National Trust opposition.

The areas expected to attract the most interest are the Bowland basin in the north of England, where it is estimated there could be enough gas to supply the UK for 40 years.

Ministers also anticipate strong interest in the South East and the central belt of Scotland.

Excellent news, I criticise this government for a lot but at least they *seem* to have their heads screwed on with this.

Frack, frack, frack away. Let's have energy prices slashed and the economy moving.

Thoughts?

[The Don]

I really don't know enough about fracking to comment, but I doubt we as the customers will see our energy bills lowered by this. Why would energy companies suddenly start charging less when customers are already paying higher prices thus giving them more money?

[-:Undertaker:-]

I really don't know enough about fracking to comment, but I doubt we as the customers will see our energy bills lowered by this. Why would energy companies suddenly start charging less when customers are already paying higher prices thus giving them more money?

Because of market forces.

If one company can offer a serious discount in terms of prices, then it'll gain customers and the others will then follow in competition.

[FlyingJesus]

How is 37,000 half of 142,821 but yeah if it can be done responsibly ie taking proper consideration of waste and such then doesn't really bother me

[Chippiewill]

Because of market forces.

If one company can offer a serious discount in terms of prices, then it'll gain customers and the others will then follow in competition.

Depends on whether the companies collude or not.

Market forces only really applies if there's a low barrier to entry in to the market.

[God]

Well, there goes my plans on moving to GB in the future... Hopefully either Canada or GB will have realized the conciqences of Fracking.

Water is the basis of all life. Without clean healthy water, what will become of us?

[FlyingJesus]

what will become of us?

This