CEOs criticise European laws on hydraulic fracking
The controversial technology was slammed in Paris at the World Gas Conference
The controversial drilling technology, that boosted US oil and gas production and transformed global energy markets in the process, is making waves again. Chief executives from two of the world’s largest oil companies slammed European laws restricting hydraulic fracking as the global gas industry gathered in Paris for the World Gas Conference. European energy companies have encountered fierce opposition to their plans to produce gas from shale – even in countries which might have welcomed some alternatives to Russian gas, such as Ukraine. There have been reports that some of this is sponsored by producers outside Europe, worried that their market share will fall if the US experience is repea
Also in this section
23 April 2026
The addition of an oil pipeline to the Power of Siberia 2 gas project could ensure deliveries of Russian oil to China, materially shorten logistics lines between West Siberia and final customers, and—amid disruption in the Strait of Hormuz—offer a land-based export route that reduces exposure to maritime chokepoints
23 April 2026
There is a clear push to bolster exports to Asia amid uncertainty around its North American neighbour, but there are limits to the benefits from the energy crisis
23 April 2026
Shell made the play-opening discovery in Namibia’s Orange basin back in 2022, but its next well could decide whether the project can actually be commercialised
22 April 2026
The failure of OMV Petrom’s keenly watched exploration campaign at Bulgaria’s Han Asparuh block highlights the Black Sea’s uneven track record, despite major successes like Neptun Deep and Sakarya
