Total Drops Shale Drilling near Danish Capital

Total SA has relinquished its permission to for shale gas in Denmark’s northern Zealand near to the country’s capital Copenhagen after drilling failed to yield attractive results.

Total said its decision on Zealand site was not linked to the critisicm it received at separate shale gas exploration site in northern Jutland, where it had to temporarily halt operations after the use of an unapproved chemical.

Speaking to Danish broadcaster DR, company spokesperson Henrik Nicolaisen said the decision to discontiue exploration at the Zealand site was not related to the Jutland incident.

“The shale gas supply is too thin for us to find it relevant to investigate the area further. It has absolutely nothing to do with politics,” the told broadcaster DR.