The slow rise of global unconventional gas

The world has 7,300 trillion cf of shale to exploit. Development has been slow outside North America, but momentum is building

Blackpool, a down-at-heel resort on England’s rainy northwest coast, hardly feels like an energy capital-in-the-making. In the UK, it is famous for its tower, its tat and its windswept pier. But global renown may be on its way. The area around Blackpool probably holds 1,300 trillion cubic feet (cf) of shale gas, making it far bigger than the UK’s conventional reserves, says the British Geological Survey. Spurred by the size of the prize and generous new tax breaks from the UK government, drillers are piling into the area. British press have already labelled Blackpool the “new Dallas”. It isn’t there yet. Exploration has barely begun. Protesters are still trying to hold up drilling. No one ye