Industry Says French Fracking Debate Not Closed

The president of the French Union of Petroleum said that debate on shale gas "is not closed."

Reacting to comments by President Francois Holland, Jean-Louis Schilansky said that the industry will continue to pursue dialogue. 

"For us, the debate is not over and we are ready to participate in this debate," said Schilansky. 

Speaking Friday at a major conference focused on energy, the environment and biodiversity, Hollande stated that fracking would not proceed during his term of office, citing potential impacts on health and the environment related to the process of hydraulic fracturing.

Hollande’s forceful stance against the use of hydraulic fracturing in the exploitation of France’s shale gas and shale oil resources came as a surprise even to those within government.

For the past weeks, reports had circulated that the government may be considering allowing hydraulic fracturing or “fracking" on an experimental basis.

The President of the French Republic instructed the Environment Minister to reject applications made in respect to seven licenses: Brignoles (Schuepbach Energy LLC.), Beaumont de Lomagne (BNK Petroleum), Montelimar extension (Total SA), Lyon-Annecy (Schuepbach), Montfalcon (BNK ) and Cahors (3 Legs Resources) and Valence (3Legs).

Industry representatives were hoping that the potential positive impact on the economy and on French energy security, would be considering in any decision.

 "Our concern is that the President has set aside, or in any case very little is expressed on the economic model that can go with the goals he has set," said Laurence Parisot, President of Mouvement des Entreprises de France (MEDEF), the largest union of employers in France.

"This is a country where energy will be more expensive," added Jean-Pierre Clamadieu, Chairman of the Sustainable Development Commission of MEDEF.