The British government says that large-scale shale gas production would boost the UK's energy security and make a major contribution to economic growth.
The government has published a regulatory roadmap for developers of shale oil and gas as well as an independent assessment of the environmental impact of large-scale production.
The roadmap indicates that large areas of in the north, south and midland regions of England as well as south Wales and southern Scotland could be opened up for a new round of licensing that would enable developers and the government to better understand the level of the country's shale gas resources.
Energy Minister Michael Fallon said: "There could be large amounts of shale gas available in the UK, but we won't know for sure the scale of this prize until further exploration takes place."
He added: "It is an exciting prospect, which could bring growth, jobs and energy security. But we must develop shale responsibly, both for local communities and for the environment, with robust regulation in place."
The environmental assessment shows that in a high activity scenario, up to 8.64 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of gas per year could be produced in the UK - equivalent to three times the country's current gas demand. In this scenario there would be sizeable economic benefits - including an increase in employment and income for local communities, but also some adverse environmental impacts.
Economic benefits would include a seven per cent increase in employment nationally, while local communities are set to receive payments of £100 000 per hydraulically fractured site, as well as a share of revenues of t he wells.
Environmental impacts indicated in the report include an increase in traffic congestion, emissions and pressure on water resources.
Sian Crampsie
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