Should the UK use Hydraulic Fracturing (Fracking)?

” the answer is, only if they’re commercially viable. If your shales will produce enough oil and gas to be profitable, especially at today’s prices then, do it. read more

Media caption The BBC's David Shukman explains how fracking works. Drilling companies suggest trillions of cubic feet of shale gas may be recoverable from underneath parts of the UK through a process known as"fracking". Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is a technique designed to recover gas and oil from shale rock. read more

Hydraulic fracturing, known as fracking, is a technique used in the extraction of gas from ‘shale’ rock formations by injecting water at high pressure. Shale gas is the same natural gas as is obtained from conventional gas fields, such as the North Sea. read more

Fracking in the UK began soon after oil was discovered in the North Sea. Offshore fracks are done with huge frack ships. Onshore, at Wytch Farm, fracks are done with truck mounted pumps. read more

The extensive use of fracking in the US, where it has revolutionised the energy industry, has prompted environmental concerns. Fracking uses huge amounts of water, which must be transported to the fracking site, at significant environmental cost. read more