Birmingham hosting world’s biggest shale gas conference
THE controversial issue of shale gas extraction is to be discussed today at a key event at Birmingham’s ICC.
The process to extract the shale gas, known as fracking, and has been linked to minor earthquakes in the North West of England and is opposed by many environmentalists.
A new report suggests a co-ordinated and strategic approach to shale gas supply is required.
It argues the development of a supply chain to support the industry could support 13,000 jobs – more than double the amount that would be created without a supply hub.
The document, Shale Gas – Creating a Supply Hub for the Bowland Shale, is published by AMION Consulting and commissioned by Manchester-headquartered Peel Gas & Oil.
It is being launched today at Shale World.
The report extends the 2014 AMION study into the potential impact of shale gas development in the Ocean Gateway (Liverpool to Manchester) area to consider the potential supply chain benefits across the entire Bowland Shale which covers the Midlands and the North of England.
The figures are based on the development of 100 well pad sites in the Bowland Shale, covering the Midlands and North of England.
It is estimated that developing the sector will generate a spend of around £30bn up to 2048.
The report also identifies that the Bowland Shale, and in particular the Ocean Gateway area stretching from the port of Liverpool to Manchester, could become a UK and international ‘centre of excellence’.
Peel Gas & Oil managing director, Myles Kitcher, said: “Creating a prosperous supply chain to service the Bowland Shale could be transformational in driving the Northern Powerhouse economies.
“From cementing services and steel supplies to water management and infrastructure, the opportunities are abundant.”
“The findings of this report demonstrate the huge benefits that are on offer but we need to act quickly or we risk losing out to other countries which are already active in the sector.
“By clustering activities together we have the opportunity to create an international centre of excellence for the industry.”
Kitcher said it was estimated there was 1.3 trillion cubic feet of shale gas available in the Bowland Shale region.
“If only 10% of that is accessed, it will supply the UK for the next 40 years,” he said.
