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<p>Both the 2013 report, ‘Potential Greenhouse Gas Emissions Associated with Shale
Gas Extraction and Use’[1] (Mackay/Stone) and the Committee on Climate Change’s (CCC)
2016 report ‘Onshore Petroleum: The compatibility of UK onshore petroleum with meeting
the UK’s carbon budgets’[2] provided analysis on the potential implications of greenhouse
gas emissions from extracting shale gas in the UK.</p><p> </p><p>The Mackay/Stone
report concluded that the carbon footprint of UK shale gas would likely be much less
than coal and comparable to imported Liquefied Natural Gas.</p><p> </p><p>The CCC
report concluded that shale gas production is compatible with carbon budgets if three
conditions are met:</p><p>Methane emissions from shale gas production minimised and
monitored.</p><p>Gas consumption remains within carbon budget limits</p><p>Any additional
shale gas emissions offset by reductions elsewhere in order to meet carbon budgets</p><p>
</p><p>We believe that our robust regulatory regime and determination to meet our
carbon budgets mean those tests can and will be met.</p><p> </p><p>The Government
is grant funding an environmental monitoring programme led by the British Geological
Survey in the Fylde (Lancashire) and Kirby Misperton (North Yorkshire), where applications
for shale gas wells have been made. This programme includes the measurement of methane
emissions, and would continue after the start of shale gas extraction. The evidence
gathered from this programme will inform our future estimates of unintended methane
emissions from potential shale gas extraction.</p><p> </p><p>During any shale gas
operations the operator will be required to undertake environmental monitoring, including
emissions monitoring, to demonstrate compliance with their environmental permits.</p><p>
</p><p>Clauses in the Infrastructure Act make it clear that any hydraulic fracturing
activity cannot take place unless appropriate arrangements have been made for monitoring
emissions of methane into the air. Operators will also be required to publish the
results of their methane emissions reporting.</p><p> </p><p>[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/237330/MacKay_Stone_shale_study_report_09092013.pdf</p><p>[2]
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/committee-on-climate-change-report-and-government-response-on-the-compatibility-of-uk-onshore-petroleum-with-meeting-the-uks-carbon-budgets</p><p>
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