Platts: French shale gas benefits minimal; industry price priority: report

Development of shale gas in France would produce less benefits to consumers than in the US due to production costs, and regulatory moves should prioritise protecting energy intensive companies, according to a parliamentary report.

The report, prepared for the cross-party Economic affairs committee and published late Wednesday, analysed the benefits of shale gas production in the US and its potential application in Europe.

Despite an estimated 137 trillion cubic feet of shale gas reserves, France has a state-level ban on any exploration using hydraulic fracturing, and many industrial companies have called for this to be reconsidered.
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