A survey carried out for United Kingdom Onshore Oil and Gas (UKOOG) has revealed that 57% of the British public are in support of natural gas from shale, providing a much needed boost to the fracking industry.

Responses to the survey of over 4,000 adults from across the UK, carried out by research group Populus, were published on 11 August 2014.

  • The survey also revealed the following responses:
  • 67% agree that Britain needs to produce its own energy to ensure that it is not reliant on gas from other countries.
  • 61% agree that the UK needs a range of energy sources to meet energy demands.
  • 60% support natural gas from shale production in the UK as long as it is properly regulated
  • 59% would be willing to see natural gas from shale production as long as it forms a mix including renewable energy sources.
  • 47% agree that the investment across a whole range of new infrastructure, including housing, roads and railways and energy sources is needed.

Responding to the survey's findings, Ken Cronin, the Chief Executive of UKOOG said "shale gas and renewables are complementary, and our survey confirms that the public would like to see a balanced mix that includes both sources of energy." He also recognised that "whilst these results are positive, our industry needs to continue to do all it can to listen and to engage with the views of local communities.

Critics of the survey, including Greenpeace, have cast doubt on its results as it was commissioned by the onshore oil and gas industry lobby. A Greenpeace spokesperson has stated that "all independent polls show less than half of Britain backs shale drilling."

The shale gas industry will however, consider the findings to be positive news for future shale explorations, indicating that people are willing to see fracking in the UK.

Zyda Law are an award winning boutique planning and environmental law firm, specialising in securing consents for infrastructure projects across the UK.

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