Campaign to explain fracking science

Energy industry needs to work together to combat “anti-following” of onshore exploration activities, says UKOOG chief

The shale gas sector has called for a concerted pan-industry effort to dispel the “misinformation and bad science” surrounding fracking.

Ken Cronin, chief executive of trade association UK Onshore Oil and Gas (UKOOG), said that, without public acceptance, the shale gas sector would struggle to establish itself in the UK, and a big industrial opportunity would be lost.

Speaking at an IMechE-organised event on shale gas at the end of last month, Cronin said: “Public acceptance is vital. People have lost their connection to energy, and the internet is full of misinformation and bad science.

“The iPad generation just expects to plug-in devices and that they will work.”

He called on the energy industry to work together to present an evidence-based message around onshore exploration activities to combat what he saw as the “anti-following” that the industry had attracted.

The IMechE said it was committed to presenting “solid, rigorous, technical discussion” around fracking. Dr Tim Fox, head of energy and environment, said: “The IMechE supports onshore exploration. We need to know what reserves we have.”

Fox said that it was crucial that the appropriate regulatory framework was in place, and that activities were policed in a robust and effective manner. He said the IMechE was committed to helping to transfer best practice from around the world.

Cronin said that UKOOG had commissioned Ernst & Young to carry out a study to look at the resources required to establish 100 shale gas sites in the UK. The findings suggested that such an opportunity would create 6,500 critical roles, and a further 40,000 jobs in the supply chain. He said that the National College for Onshore Gas was to be established in Blackpool as the first step on the road to meeting the skills challenge. 

Cronin said that without attempts to deal with a skills shortage the UK risked missing out on the industrial opportunity that shale gas would present, as it had in the wind sector. He claimed that more than 62% of the giant London Array windfarm project had been supplied by overseas companies.  

He said the shale gas sector in the UK could require up to 50 rigs in the medium-term, but that much of this work would be carried out abroad. “They are already building these types of rigs in Germany. I would like to see that work carried out here.”