Natural gas and oil can be produced from shale rocks in France without lasting environmental impact. Now this is the main thesis of the mining industry lobbyists..
«The wind of change has blown in France» is the title of a letter posted yesterday on the oil workers’ organization Friends of Drillers. The press release mainly touches on the topic of groundless accusations of environmentalists in relation to the oil shale industry..
The letter follows on from a discussion between the oil and gas lobby and Corinne Lepage, a French member of the European Parliament and environmental advocate, who actively supports the introduction of a complete ban on hydraulic fracturing operations in France..
Last year, the French parliament passed a law prohibiting the use of new technology due to possible water pollution. Because of this, the country’s largest oil company Total had to curtail its exploration of shale gas in the south of France..
«This is a web of lies» — with these words on August 10, Lepage called the arguments of the drillers’ association that «wells developed using the hydraulic fracturing method do not pose any danger and can be restored in the future.».
To this end, the drillers sent a letter to the government to Ministers Bato and Monteburu stating that lifting the ban would improve the country’s financial situation and reduce unemployment. «The development of oil and gas production in France can reduce the country’s need for fuel imports and create new jobs,» — said the drillers.
Debate over the future of the oil shale industry erupted in France in May following the election of President François Hollande. And Ministers Bateau and Montebourg exchanged conflicting comments on the prospects for the new industry..
«The government is strongly against fracking,» Bato said on 24 July. «Now this technology is dangerous for the environment and the health of our citizens, which is why France has banned hydraulic fracturing.».
A completely different statement was made earlier on July 20 by Arnaud Montebur: «The oil shale industry is not a taboo topic for discussion and the government’s position on this issue has not yet been determined.».
We will see the continuation of the discussion on this issue on September 14 and 15 at the next environmental conference..