The British government has banned fracking in England at the beginning of November.
The decision was taken following the release of a scientific study by the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) which concluded that it is currently impossible to predict the likelihood or magnitude of earthquakes associated with this practise.
Hydraulic fracturing, also called fracking, is the process of drilling down into the earth at high pressure by pumping water, chemicals and sand to facture shale rock and release trapped oil and gas.
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy said that “further consents for fracking will not be granted” unless the industry “can reliably predict and control tremors” linked to the process.
Cuadrilla Resources, which is the only firm licensed to carry out the process, caused a magnitude 2.9 earthquake at the end of August at its Preston New Road site in Lancashire, in the north of England, and since then, all fracking has been suspended.
Andrea Leadsom, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, said that this is not a ban and that the government is “following the science”.
