Uranium Explorer Seeks Shale Gas in Sweden

Uranium explorer, Aura Energy Limited is seeking shale gas in south-central Sweden.

The company is investigating the potential for shale gas at its Motala Project, which covers approximately 140 square kilometres of the Alum Shale, host rock to its giant Häggån uranium resource further north in Sweden.

The company compared the Motala district shale gas play as most similar to the Antrim Shale in Michigan, USA., and has commenced drilling to gain more information on the Project’s potential value. 

Aura said that the presence of gas from water bores and seeps in the district have been known for many years. Gas flows of up to 50 cubic metres per hour have been reported from drill holes. The Alum Shale in the district has an organic carbon content of up to 20%.

Gas is known from several locations within the Aura permits, with the Linköping commune holding an extraction permit for shale gas immediately to the east. In addition the company said local farmers use the gas as a source of heating.

Aura’s Managing Director, Dr Bob Beeson, commented: “The shales at Motala are relatively close to surface in comparison with more well known shale gas plays in North America. However, this results in the testing of their potential being low cost and straightforward.”

“The presence of numerous wells with gas flows, and gas seeps, within the Aura permits is very encouraging.”

The Motala Project is located close to the industrial city of Linkoping in southern Sweden.