The British public is warming to the idea of shale gas amidst the country’s energy crisis, that’s according to YouGov data highlighted by the UK onshore producers’ body UKOOG.
UKOOG, in a statement, pointed to data which indicated that more than half of British adults - specifically 53% of respondents in a survey, excluding the “don’t knows” – would support shale projects if it meant lower energy bills for people in the community.
The industry group highlighted that it was supported by 70% of respondents who also said they voted for the Conservative party in 2019 elections, whilst more than 58% of respondents in the north of England and 65% of respondents who also voted for Brexit were in support of shale.
“The Government should be looking at all options to reduce sky-high energy bills,” said UKOOG director Charles McAllister.
“The UK’ s abundant onshore gas resources can be rapidly developed, helping to alleviate the risk of a persistent cost-of-living crisis, whilst helping meet net-zero targets and creating well paid and skilled local jobs in former industrial communities.
“Receiving a cash share of revenues from UK shale production clearly goes a long way to win community support, a local benefit not available by drifting into a heavily import reliant economy.”
He added: “Our members stand ready to help reduce consumers’ bills and address the energy crisis. Demand for a timely and resilient solution to the problem of rising energy prices has clearly never been higher.
“Government needs to review the case for shale fairly, and logically allow UKOOG members to help meet this demand for cheaper, lower carbon British energy.”
Some 67% of respondents to the YouGov survey also indicated that they’ve been forced to cut back spending in order to pay their energy bills, whilst 66% of those aged over 65 say they’ll change spending habits ahead of the October rise in the ‘price cap’.
Nearly three quarters (74%) of those aged between 25 and 64 said they had either reduced or plan to reduce their spending in the coming months.
It comes after the UK government in April agreed to launch a swift review of its stance on shale and fracking, which has been banned in the UK since 2019.
The British Geological Survey will carry out the investigation with a remit to look at new fracking developments since 2019 and also to examine if the modelling of shale geologies, to better predict earthquakes, has improved.
UKOOG is an industry group representing onshore UK oil and gas producers, with all UK licence holders eligible for membership. It is funded by its members.