France: Shale Exploration Can Proceed

France will not place a moratorium on shale gas exploration, but it will prevent the controversial drilling practice from endangering the public.

French Ecology Minister Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet, twas speaking before the L'Assemblee Nationale Wednesday.

"A moratorium is not possible, mining laws do not permit it, but you can count on my vigilance that we will not see in France the kind of desolate scenes that exploration without environmental constraints brought in the US," the minister said, according to AFP's official parliamentary news service.

"Techniques which are destructive and dangerous for the environment are used there, and France will not commit to going down this route," she said.

The minister said France's exploration for shale gas would be less damaging to the environment than in some countries, including the US.

Frances has issued permits to several companies, including Total SA, Schuepbach Energy, GDF Suez and Mouvoil SA seeking to explore for shale gas. (Read More HERE)

3Legs Resources, whose subsidiary Lane Energy has drilled for shale gas in Poland, has made application for the Cahors permit, an area 5710 km2

Since 2004, France has issued nine exploration permits for non-conventional gas exploration, including the three issued in March 2010, Kosciusko-Morizet told parliament.