Onshore Gas Exploration Backed

The UK should continue to look for onshore unconventional gas supplies to meet the country's future energy demand, according to an oil and gas industry body.

Fossil fuels account for around two-thirds of the UK's energy consumption, particularly in homes and transport, and domestic production must continue to avoid future reliance on costly imports, according to Oil & Gas UK.

The boom in unconventional gas released through fracking'' in the US has driven down oil prices and plunged the UK North Sea oil sector into crisis, prompting city leaders in Aberdeen to hold an emergency summit of politicians, industry representatives and unions today.

Scottish Energy Minister Fergus Ewing last week announced that there is to be a moratorium on granting consents for unconventional oil and gas developments in Scotland whilst further research and a public consultation is carried out.

The decision came days after the UK Government voted against a moratorium.

Speaking at the Aberdeen conference, Oil & Gas UK chief executive Malcolm Webb said: "I don't like this word unconventional because I think it is not unconventional - it is normal natural gas.

"We should be looking on and offshore for that, we should be exploring all avenues because I believe that we are going to need all of it.

"The onshore unconventionals are not likely to make a major contribution to the gas supply situation in this country for eight to ten years, but that doesn't mean to say that we shouldn't be looking.

"The North Sea is still the big producer and it's the North Sea that carries you in the short term.''