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Oil Column: Eurocrat fracking rules pose another possible threat to UK shale

Last updated: 13:34 04 Nov 2013 GMT, First published: 14:34 04 Nov 2013 GMT

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There are fears that UK shale gas firms will have to jump through yet more hoops as they attempt to test Britain’s potentially vast gas resources.

Eurocrats in Brussels are apparently drawing up Europe-wide environmental guidelines for the fracking industry, according to a report in The Times.

With UK shale firms already fending off environmental protestors, some of which are reportedly looking to leverage nuances in planning and trespassing laws, this could present another obstacle in the way of the nascent industry.

Also given that some European states have taken a hardline against the controversial fracking technique - France has outlawed the practice before business could properly take root – some may fear that the EU guidelines may be onerous and could stifle the development of shale gas resources.

The European Commission will unveil the legislative proposals in January, The Times says.

Elsewhere, in the commodity market, crude futures continued their decline into the new week, with the market pricing in ‘ample’ supplies and a greater likelihood that the US Federal Reserves will taper its US$85bn a month quantitative easing programme sooner rather than later.

Shedding 40 cents a barrel in London trading to US$105.50 Brent crude is now drifting toward a four month low, meanwhile West Texas Intermediary crude was 17 cents lighter at US$94.45 per barrel.

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