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Helen Robertson
7 January 2016
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Still waiting for the UK's shale boom

The reserves are big, the government supports it and frackers are keen. So where is the country's shale gas production?

The UK has huge potential shale gas reserves, strong government backing for its nascent fracking industry and firm interest from experienced operators.  But investors could be in for a wait. Commercial-scale shale gas production will take at least a decade and depend on whether the government's plan to streamline its regulatory process works. In December 2015 the UK government awarded its first onshore permits specifically for shale gas exploration: 93 licences were issued, across 159 blocks. It was the 14th licensing round - but what made it significant was the interest from experienced shale developers, who hoovered up about three-quarters of the licence areas. Petrochemical producer Ineos

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