ConnexionFrance: MPs back shale gas testing

TWO French MPs have backed experimental drilling for shale gas in a controversial parliamentary report. 

Jean-Claude Lenoir (Orne, UMP) and Christian Bataille (Nord, UMP) were asked to report on alternatives to the usual extraction technique – “fracking” – which was banned in France in 2011 due to fears it can pollute groundwater. 

They called for “a few dozen experimental drillings” in order to “test improved fracking or alternative techniques” in their report, which has been accused of bias by other MPs who oppose it on environmental grounds. 

Another objection is that France has pledged long-term reductions in the use of fossil fuels in favour of greener alternatives. 

The MPs state that, since France banned fracking (forcing water mixed with sand and chemicals into underground rock), techniques have rapidly improved.  MORE