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Survey commissioned by UKOOG shows support for natural gas from shale

A new public opinion poll reveals that natural gas production from shale enjoys widespread backing across the country, with more than three times as many supporting production than opposing.

The Populus survey of 4,000 adults, commissioned by UK Onshore Oil and Gas (UKOOG), also finds overwhelming support for reducing Britain’s reliance on gas imports from overseas, which are rising rapidly as North Sea production declines.

The issue of shale gas production, by hydraulic fracturing of rocks (‘fracking’), has provoked strong responses, with opinions divided on key issues such safety and potential damage to the environment.

Several sites across northern England, including parts of the North West, are ear-marked for exploration. Sites in the Bowland Basin in Lancashire have already been drilled for shale gas. Four wells have been drilled by Cuadrilla Resources, and one by IGAS Energy.

The issue of shale gas production, by ‘fracking’, has provoked strong response, with opinions divided on key issues such safety and potential damage to the environment.

The new survey is one of the largest polls on the issue. The key findings of the research are reported to include:

• Overall support for shale gas production: 57% support the production of natural gas from shale in the UK, compared with 16% who oppose and 27% who are undecided.

• Reducing reliance on gas imports: 67% agree that Britain needs to produce its own energy so it isn’t reliant on gas from other countries, compared with just 1% who disagree.

National Grid has forecast that without natural gas from shale production, Britain will import up to 91% of its gas by 2035.

• Support for shale gas development alongside renewable energy: 59% would be willing to see natural gas from shale production go ahead as long as it forms part of a mix that ncludes renewable energy sources, with only 12% disagreeing.

• New infrastructure needed: 47% agree that the UK needs to invest in a whole range of new infrastructure, including housing, roads and railways, airport capacity and new energy sources, with only 5% disagreeing.

• Underground land access: 42% agree with the Government’s planned changes to underground land access, compared with 16% who disagree. The changes are designed to bring oil and gas and geothermal energy production into line with other essential services that have rights of underground access, including water and sewage pipelines and coal mines.

Ken Cronin, Chief Executive of UKOOG, said: “This survey shows that most people across the country think that shale gas should be developed.

“More than four out of five of us heat our homes with gas, and Britain’s shale resource gives us the opportunity to become less dependent on foreign energy supplies, create tens of thousands of jobs and support our manufacturing industries.

“Shale gas and renewables are complementary, and our survey confirms that the public would like to see a balanced mix that includes both sources of energy. Whilst these results are positive, our industry needs to continue to do all it can to listen to and engage with the views of local communities.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .