United Kingdom Onshore Oil and Gas (UKOOG) today marked the second anniversary of the moratorium on hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, by calling on the Government to allow UK shale gas.
CARBON FOOTPRINT
The organisation’s chairman Martin York said that the industry could provide employment, reduce the country’s carbon footprint and level up the British economy.
“Furthermore, by importing liquified natural gas (LNG) instead of producing natural gas domestically, the UK has been able to ‘offshore’ around 110 million tonnes CO2e from its carbon balance sheet since 2005, the equivalent annual heating emissions of 37 million homes.
“LNG has a delivered carbon intensity around four times that of UK shale gas – and the failure to exploit the abundant Bowland-Hodder shale will add a forecasted further 150 million tonnes to the UK’s global carbon footprint by 2050.
“We also note that both of the industrial clusters awarded ‘track 1’ CCS funding by the Government fail to take advantage of the Bowland Shale gas resource sitting directly beneath them.”
NET ZERO
Mr York added that a local methane feedstock for hydrogen production would greatly reduce life-cycle emission footprint over decades and multiply employment opportunities.
“Such ‘joined up’ projects would greatly facilitate the transition to a net zero 2050.
“As COP26 progresses, the onshore oil and gas sector’s point remains valid: if the UK wishes to achieve a net zero economy, a continued reliance on fuels from imported sources at unknown prices and at higher carbon intensities does not reflect a resilient and considered energy strategy.”
DEMAND FOR GAS
Mr York said that every effort should be made to fuel a net-zero economy with lower carbon domestic oil and gas sources where there was recognised demand.
“It is not too late to act. Given the significant continuing demand for natural gas as part of a net zero economy, the case for developing UK shale gas will remain strong out to 2030 and beyond.
“On the second anniversary of the moratorium, we request that the Government take a rational stance on the perceived risks and low risks associated with hydraulic fracturing and recognise the benefits that previous governments have well understood.”