French Ban on Hydraulic Fracturing Official

France officially banned the use of hydraulic fracturing for the exploration and exploitation of shale gas and shale oil.

The French Senate followed in the steps of the National Assembly, which earlier approved the banning the use of the controversial technique.

In a significant development, the possibility of hydraulic fracturing being undertaken for the purpose of scientific experiments, now appears doubtful.

The limited use of the shale gas and shale oil extraction technique was proposed by and passed in first reading by the Senate, but was not adopted by the joint committee responsible for establishing a common text between the Senate and National Assembly.

The French Environment Minister raised doubts about the possibility of scientific experiments.

"There will be no scientific experiments without a new law," commented Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet.