January 2016 fracking headlines
Our digest of January’s headlines about fracking, shale and onshore oil and gas developments – and reaction to them, including:
Female, middle-aged, professionals in villages – most likely opponents of fracking, survey finds
Fracking opponents are most likely to be women, aged 45-64, doing managerial or professional work and living in rural areas, according to the latest findings of an ongoing government survey of public attitudes to shale gas.
Leaked letter reveals Government plan to take over fracking decisions
bA leaked government plan, published by The Telegraph today, proposed taking decisions for fracking wells away from local councils.
Swansea Council votes against fracking
Labour-led Swansea Council has voted overwhelmingly to take a stand against fracking. It is the fifth council in under a fortnight to criticise the process (details).
Who drilled where in 2015?
The short answer is not many companies sank wells anywhere onshore in 2015. The number of oil and gas wells drilled in the UK in 2015 was the lowest for almost 40 years.
Fracking too good to pass up, says Ryedale MP
Britain can’t afford to ignore the opportunities offered by shale gas, the MP Kevin Hollinrake told a debate in the House of Commons this morning.
Study finds methane leaks from 30% of abandoned wells – but emissions average less than a single cow
A study of decommissioned onshore oil and gas wells in the UK found that 30% were leaking methane. But the average leak produced lower emissions than a breeding dairy cow.
Fracking Week in Westminster – w/e 22nd January 2016
In this Fracking Week in Westminster In a debate on The Energy Bill, MPs discussed: Methane emissions and meeting carbon targets Local decisions on fracking planning applications The Scottish moratorium Falling oil prices and the viability of shale gas Also: the impact of fracking on the steel industry, […]
Anti-fracking group criticises MP’s survey as biased and selective
MP Kevin Hollinrake has defended his decision to survey supporters in his Thirsk and Malton constituency on fracking.
Kevin Hollinrake resigns as vice-chair of parliamentary group on fracking
The MP who represents the North Yorkshire village where Third Energy wants to carry out fracking has resigned as the vice-chair of an industry-funded parliamentary group on unconventional oil and gas.
DRILL OR DROP? 