Oil and gas industry welcomes turnaround in perceptions of shale exploration

24 September 2014

UKOOG, the representative body for the UK Onshore Oil and Gas industry, today welcomes the latest shale gas public perception survey from the University of Nottingham. The study not only shows a recovery in public approval for natural gas from shale but also that over three fifths of Britons see the economic benefits of exploiting this important UK natural resource.

Ken Cronin, Chief Executive of UKOOG, said:

“The University of Nottingham tracking study has shown how public perception of natural gas from shale has been hit by negative information but is now recovering as people become more informed about the benefits of UK production.

"We recognise that concerns remain, particularly around local water supplies, as this latest survey shows.  Recent reports by the University of Manchester and by a group of eminent academics from Duke, Cornell, Stanford and other US universities show that not only does shale gas compare well to other energy sources on environmental measures but also that fracking does not contaminate water supplies.

“These add to the body of research into shale gas and hydraulic fracturing by leading scientific and industry experts, including the Royal Society, the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Geological Society, the British Geological Survey, WaterUK, the Chartered Institute of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM), Public Health England and Durham University, who have all concluded that any potential risks associated with hydraulic fracturing can be managed in a properly regulated industry.

“The onshore oil and gas industry continues to work hard to provide opportunities for the public to ask legitimate questions about natural gas from shale development and to see that their questions are answered.”  

Contact:

Jason Nisse/Nick Morris 0207 680 6550 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

About UKOOG:

UKOOG is the representative body for the UK onshore oil and gas industry including exploration, production and storage. The organisation’s objectives are to enhance the profile of the onshore industry, promote better and more open dialogue with key stakeholders, deliver industry wide initiatives and programmes and to ensure standards in safety, the environment and operations are maintained to the highest possible level. Membership is open to all companies active in the onshore industry including those involved in the supply chain.

www.ukoog.org.uk

The latest University of Nottingham survey can be found here: http://www.scribd.com/doc/131787519/public-perceptions-of-shale-gas-in-the-UK-September-2014-pdf

The University of Manchester study can be found here: http://www.manchester.ac.uk/discover/news/article/?id=12858

The US study can be found here: http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2014/09/12/1322107111