Institution supported by ExxonMobil, Chevron, Halliburton, Shell promotes shale gas development in Germany
Shale Gas Europe, a group supported by ExxonMobil, Chevron, Halliburton and Shell, put out a press release May 6 in which it awaited with expectation the first reading by Germany’s parliament of a draft law to regulate exploration for shale gas.
“Germany has some of Europe’s most ambitious environmental objectives. But it also needs to ensure a secure supply of energy that enables its industries to remain competitive and consumers to continue heating their homes at an affordable price. In finding a pragmatic solution that strikes an appropriate balance, the forthcoming debate should avoid unnecessary rhetoric” said Marcus Pepperell, spokesperson for Shale Gas Europe. “There’s no point promoting renewables as the only solution when Germany is consequently having to import more coal to meet demand.”
According to the statement by the group, Germany is Europe’s biggest energy consumer, representing 19% of Europe’s total energy demand.
Germany holds some of the largest estimated shale gas reserves in Europe, three trillion cubic meters, which could provide 20% of Germany’s annual gas demand for up to 100 years, the group said.
Shale Gas Europe is a platform managed by FTI Consulting for all actors involved in the exploration and development of shale gas, tight gas and coal bed methane.
It aims to promote a dialogue and provide first-hand, up-to-date information to citizens, policy-makers and the media on all the key issues surrounding the development of shale gas in Europe, the group said.
