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Britain goes ahead with fracking

The UK government hopes fracking will reduce the country's need to import gas

Energy companies are being invited to bid for licences to extract oil and gas from large areas of Britain using the controversial process known as fracking. Under the process, water, sand and chemicals are pumped into shale rock under high pressure, cracking it to release the oil or gas. Opponents say fracking damages the environment.

Reporter:

John Moylan

Report

Around half of the area of the UK is being opened up for exploration. But there's expected to be particular interest in the north of England, which is thought to contain enough shale gas to power Britain for decades.

The licensing round is intended to accelerate the exploitation of shale, but it's only the first step. Firms also need a series of planning, environmental and health and safety consents.

While the government hopes the industry will generate jobs and reduce our dependency on imported gas, it will not be at any cost. The government is tightening the rules around drilling in National Parks.

Fracking will not be banned, but it's likely to be permitted only in exceptional circumstances.