Recent developments in UK shale gas

摘要

Shale gas is a form of natural gas resource that has traditionally been categorised outside mainstream "conventional" sources. Recent developments in drilling techniques have now enabled it to be produced at a cost potentially competitive with conventional sources of natural gas. Shale gas could therefore play a part in the diversification of energy supplies and in helping the United Kingdom meet its carbon reduction targets. In this article we examine some of the legal framework within which shale gas is currently regulated in the United Kingdom and discuss some recent developments.