British Shale Deposit Could be Much Larger Than Expected

The huge shale gas deposit around Blackpool in England could be up to half as big again as  previously thought, a new geological survey is expected to show.

The British Geological Survey (BGS) is carrying out a review of the UK's shale gas reserves, which will be published in the new year.

The location surrounds the area where Cuadrilla Resources is exploring. After two minor earthquakes in the area last year, which some linked to hydraulic fracturing, the process was postponed.

Fracking has been contentious in the UK, and a statement is due from the Energy Secretary, Ed Davey, on whether or not the government will give the go-ahead in general.

London newspapers reported that the BGS will conclude that the the 1,000 sq kms covered by the Bowland Basin to the east of Blackpool contains 300 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of gas. This is roughly 17 times more than the known reserves in the North Sea. In 2011, Cuadrilla Resources estimated 200tcf  in the area.

Last week Chancellor [Finance Minister] George Osborne said shale gas could make a "substantial contribution" to UK gas supplies from the 2020s. In his Autumn Statement [secondary budget], Osobrne also announced the establishment of an Office for Unconventional Gas and Oil to supervise shale gas extraction, as well as other energy sources.