France's National Assembly last week voted 287 to 146 in favor of a first reading of a draft bill, presented by the governing UMP party, to ban the use of hydraulic fracturing in the exploration and production of shale gas and oil. It requires a vote by the Senate to become law. Opposition deputies voted against the bill, because it does not annul existing exploration permits for shale oil and shale gas. France quietly granted three shale gas permits last year-one to Total, and the others to US independent Schuepbach Energy with GDF Suez. Permits to explore for shale oil are held by US Toreador, partnered by Hess Oil, and Canadian independent Vermilion.
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