Shale gas in the United Kingdom has attracted increasing attention since 2007, when unconventional onshore shale gas production was proposed. The first shale gas well in England was drilled in 1875.[1] As of 2013 a number of wells had been drilled, and favourable tax treatment had been offered to shale gas producers.[2]
In July 2013, UK Prime Minister David Cameron had claimed that, "fracking has real potential to drive energy bills down".[3] However, in November 2013 representatives from industry and government, such as former BP Chief Executive and government advisor Lord Browne, Energy Secretary Ed Davey and economist Lord Stern said that fracking in the UK alone will not lower prices as the UK is part of a well connected European market.[4][5][6]
As of April 2022[update], there had been no commercial production of shale gas in the UK, with no shale gas reserves booked in the UK.[7] In February 2022 the Oil & Gas Authority (OGA) ordered the "plugging and abandonment" of Britain's shale wells.
^Macalister 2013 harvnb error: no target: CITEREFMacalister2013 (help) "Shale gas is a resource with huge potential to broaden the UK's energy mix," said the Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne. "We want to create the right conditions for industry to explore and unlock that potential in a way that allows communities to share in the benefits. This new tax regime, which I want to make the most generous for shale in the world, will contribute to that. I want Britain to be a leader of the shale gas revolution – because it has the potential to create thousands of jobs and keep energy bills low for millions of people."
^Carrington & 29 November 2013 harvnb error: no target: CITEREFCarrington29_November_2013 (help) In July, Osborne said: "This a real chance to get cheaper energy for Britain ... a major new energy source that can reduce energy bills."In August, Cameron said: "If we don't back this technology, we will miss a massive opportunity to help families with their bills ... fracking has real potential to drive energy bills down." In November, "the chairman of the UK's leading shale gas company", Lord Browne, said "Fracking is not going to reduce gas prices in the UK". "The statement by Lord Browne, one of the most powerful energy figures in Britain, contradicts claims by David Cameron and George Osborne that shale gas exploration could help curb soaring energy bills."
^The Telegraph & 9 September 2013 harvnb error: no target: CITEREFThe_Telegraph9_September_2013 (help) "North Sea gas didn't significantly move UK prices – so we can't expect UK shale production alone to have any effect," Mr Davey said, pointing out that Britain is just one part of the wider European gas market. He said it was "far from clear that UK shale gas production could ever replicate the price effects seen in the US", where the shale gas boom has seen prices plummet. The comments stand in stark contrast to those of David Cameron, who wrote in the Telegraph last month that "fracking has real potential to drive energy bills down"