Launch of New EU Network to Provide Holistic Scientific Analysis on Development of European Shale Gas 

Tomorrow (Tuesday July 8th) the European Commission, led by the Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) will launch the European Science and Technology Network on Unconventional Hydrocarbon Extraction.

The Network will bring together practitioners from industry, research, academia as well as civil society to collect, analyse and review results from exploration projects as well as assess the development of technologies used in unconventional gas and oil projects. Its aim is to increase Europe’s understanding and knowledge on unconventional hydrocarbon extraction technologies and practices as well as further reduce potential health and environmental impacts and risks.

The creation of the Network follows publication of the Commission’s Recommendations and Communication in January. The Joint Research Centre (JRC) received a mandate to establish and manage the Network in close cooperation with DG Environment and DG Energy and involving also DG Research & Innovation, DG Climate Action and DG Enterprise and Industry.

Spokesperson for Shale Gas Europe, Marcus Pepperell, said: “Science and academia have always been at the forefront of progress and the development of new technologies and industry. The European debate on shale gas needs to move away from rhetorical arguments based on ideology and NIMBYism. Europe urgently needs to ensure the security of its supply at a price it can afford to the collective benefit of all its citizens. Shale gas could make a valuable contribution to diversifying Europe’s domestic energy mix at a time when we are importing an ever increasing amount of our energy from abroad.”

He adds: “The creation of the Network brings together leading experts in their respective fields who will be able to provide scientific based evidence to complement research being undertaken by individual Member States. It will give policy and decision makers around Europe access to one holistic source of qualitative research and analysis to guide the development of this crucial new energy source within an environmentally sustainable framework.”