Fracking in the UK: explained

Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is a technique used to extract oil and gas from deep underground rock formations. It involves injecting a high-pressure mixture of water, sand, and chemicals into subterranean rocks to create or widen fissures, allowing trapped hydrocarbons to flow to the surface. While some present it as a potential solution for energy security, fracking in the UK has been highly controversial due to significant environmental concerns and consistent public opposition, leading to a complex and often halted history.

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What is fracking and how does it work?

Fracking is a well-stimulation technique designed to enhance the flow of oil or natural gas from geological reservoirs. It targets unconventional reserves, such as shale gas, which are tightly bound within rock formations.

The basics of hydraulic fracturing

The process begins with drilling a borehole, which can be vertical or, more commonly for shale gas, horizontal, into the target rock layer thousands of meters below the surface. Once the well is drilled and lined, a specially formulated fluid, known as fracking fluid, is pumped into the well at extremely high pressure. This pressure causes the rock to fracture, creating new pathways or enlarging existing ones.

Key components of the fracking process

Fracking fluid typically consists of about 90% water, 9.5% sand, and 0.5% chemical additives. The water provides the bulk of the volume and pressure. Sand, or proppant, is crucial; once the rock is fractured, the sand particles hold these fissures open, preventing them from closing when the injection pressure is released. The chemical additives serve various purposes, such as reducing friction, preventing bacterial growth, and dissolving minerals. After the rock is fractured, the oil or gas, along with some of the injected fluid (known as flowback or wastewater), returns to the surface for collection and treatment.

A brief history of fracking in the UK

The UK's engagement with fracking has been marked by periods of exploration, public outcry, and policy reversals.

Early exploration and initial enthusiasm

Small-scale fracking in the UK dates back to the late 1970s, primarily for conventional oil and gas wells. However, the technique gained significant attention after 2008 when licences were issued for onshore shale gas exploration, with hopes of replicating the US shale gas boom. The company Cuadrilla Resources was a key player, conducting the first high-volume hydraulic fracturing (HVHF) at its Preese Hall-1 well in Lancashire in 2011.

The moratoriums and public opposition

The operations at Preese Hall in 2011 led to seismic activity, causing a temporary halt to fracking operations and prompting a review of regulations. Despite new regulations, including a "traffic light system" for monitoring seismic activity, further fracking by Cuadrilla at Preston New Road in Lancashire in 2018 and 2019 also triggered earthquakes, with one event measuring 2.9ML.

Public opposition to fracking has been consistently high across the UK, often cited as a major factor influencing policy decisions. Local communities and environmental groups voiced strong concerns about environmental risks and local disruption. This widespread opposition, coupled with the inability to predict or control induced seismicity, led the UK government to impose a moratorium on fracking in England in November 2019. Scotland and Wales had already implemented their own moratoria on hydraulic fracturing.

Current legal status of fracking in the UK

The 2019 moratorium in England was briefly lifted in September 2022 by the Liz Truss administration, which suggested fracking could proceed with "local consent". However, this decision was short-lived. Just over a month later, in October 2022, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak reinstated the moratorium, re-establishing a presumption against issuing new hydraulic fracturing consents. As of June 2026, the moratorium remains in place across the UK.

Environmental and community concerns

The environmental and community impacts of fracking have been at the heart of the debate in the UK.

Induced seismicity and earthquakes

One of the most significant concerns associated with fracking is induced seismicity, or human-caused earthquakes. The injection of high-pressure fluid can reactivate pre-existing geological fault lines, leading to tremors. This was evident in Lancashire, where fracking operations by Cuadrilla in 2011 and again in 2018-2019 caused earthquakes felt by local populations. The 2019 moratorium was directly influenced by an Oil and Gas Authority report concluding that the probability or magnitude of such tremors could not be accurately predicted. Before the moratorium, a "traffic light system" was in place, which would halt operations if seismic activity exceeded a certain magnitude (0.5 ML).

Water contamination risks

The potential for water contamination is another major environmental concern. Fracking fluid contains various chemicals, some of which are toxic. Critics argue there is a risk of these chemicals, or the naturally occurring heavy metals and radioactive elements released from shale, leaking into groundwater supplies or surface water through faulty well casings, natural fractures, or surface spills. While proponents argue that shale gas deposits are thousands of meters deeper than aquifers and that impermeable rock layers protect water sources, and that regulations require baseline monitoring, the risk of contamination remains a point of contention.

Greenhouse gas emissions and climate change

Fracking contributes to climate change primarily through the emission of greenhouse gases. The extracted shale gas, predominantly methane, is a potent greenhouse gas, and leaks can occur during extraction, processing, and transport. Methane is over 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere over a 100-year period. Furthermore, burning the extracted gas releases carbon dioxide. Even if UK shale gas had a marginally lower carbon footprint than imported liquefied natural gas (LNG), increasing the global supply and consumption of gas through fracking could lead to an overall increase in global greenhouse gas emissions, making it incompatible with climate targets.

Local impact and public health

Beyond seismic and contamination risks, fracking operations can have significant local impacts. These include increased air pollution from drilling operations and associated vehicle movements, noise pollution, and substantial traffic from transporting equipment, chemicals, and wastewater. To replace half of the UK's gas imports from 2021-2035, an estimated 6,100 shale gas wells would be needed, requiring an industrial scale of operations that could affect protected habitats and local communities. Health effects from fracking-related pollution have also been cited, including respiratory issues and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Fracking and the UK's energy security debate

The debate around fracking in the UK has often been framed within the context of energy security, particularly in light of fluctuating global energy prices and geopolitical instability.

Arguments for domestic shale gas production

Proponents of fracking argue that domestic shale gas production could enhance the UK's energy security by reducing reliance on imported gas, thereby insulating the country from volatile international markets and potential supply disruptions. They suggest that the UK possesses substantial shale gas reserves, particularly in areas like the Bowland Shale in northern England, which could potentially meet a significant portion of the nation's gas needs for decades. Such development, it is argued, could also create jobs and stimulate economic growth.

Challenges to economic viability and scale

Despite the claims of large reserves, the economic viability and extractability of UK shale gas are highly debated. The UK's geology is considerably more complex and faulted than that of North America, making extraction more challenging and costly. Experts have questioned whether the UK's shale formations are "the wrong kind of shale" - too rich in malleable clays to fracture effectively. Estimates of recoverable reserves are speculative, and significant exploratory drilling would be needed to prove commercial viability.

Furthermore, even if commercially viable, the scale of production required to make a meaningful impact on national energy supply or consumer bills would be immense, potentially requiring thousands of wells and extensive infrastructure. Studies suggest that UK shale gas production would have a limited impact on energy prices and consumer bills, and its contribution to the UK economy would be negligible compared to the US experience. Gas produced in the UK would still be sold on the international market, where prices are set globally, meaning it would not necessarily lead to lower domestic bills.

The role of renewables in true energy security

True energy security, in the long term, hinges on a diversified and sustainable energy mix that minimises reliance on finite, volatile fossil fuels. Renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and tidal power offer a path to energy independence without the environmental and social costs associated with fracking. Investment in home-grown renewables creates green jobs, cuts bills, and improves energy security by harnessing inexhaustible natural resources. The UK has significant potential for renewable energy generation, with renewables already producing a substantial portion of the UK's electricity.

Beyond fracking: a future of abundant, clean energy

The contentious history of fracking in the UK highlights a broader challenge: how to secure a reliable energy supply without compromising environmental integrity or community well-being.

The promise of renewable energy sources

The future of energy lies in embracing abundant, clean sources that do not carry the environmental baggage of fossil fuels. Technologies like advanced wind turbines, efficient solar panels, and developing energy storage solutions are rapidly advancing, making renewable energy increasingly cost-effective and reliable. These sources offer a pathway to genuine energy independence, providing power that is not subject to geopolitical whims or the depletion of finite resources. Focusing on these sustainable alternatives allows for a proactive approach to energy security, building a resilient system that benefits both the economy and the environment.

Fuse Energy's vision for a sustainable future

Fuse Energy believes in a future with power to play with - a world where energy is so abundant it stops being a constant concern. We challenge the scarcity mindset that often underpins debates around contentious energy sources like fracking. Instead of settling for fossil fuel extraction with its inherent environmental and community impacts, Fuse is committed to delivering the abundant, clean energy the future requires. By focusing on developing and deploying renewable energy sources, Fuse offers a superior, sustainable alternative to achieve energy security, ensuring that having more energy is the point, without the guilt or the environmental trade-offs.

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