British Geological Survey

The British Geological Survey (BGS) describes itself as 'the nation's principal supplier of objective, impartial and up-to-date geological expertise and information for decision making for governmental, commercial and individual users'.

It is a component body of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and is government-funded.

Shale Gas reserve estimates by BGS

This article is part of the Spinwatch Fracking Portal and project

BGS has estimated that 1,300tn cubic feet of gas exists beneath the north-west of England, Yorkshire and East Midlands.

These estimates have since been called into question by a team of scientists at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, led by Professor John Underhill, who warned that the UK's shale gas potential was 'over-hyped' and 'unlikely' to be economically viable. '

Professor Underhill said the UK’s gas-bearing sedimentary basins were tilted and buckled by tectonic movements, making them less suitable for fracking than successful US shale areas.

There is a need to factor this considerable and fundamental geological uncertainty into the economic equation,” he said. “It would be extremely unwise to rely on shale gas to ride to the rescue of the UK’s gas needs.”

Affiliations

• All Party Parliamentary Group on Climate Change Group - Associate Member

People

• Dr Nick Riley, Head of Science Policy (Europe)
• Professor Mike Stephenson
• Bob Gatliff
• Dr Rob Ward
• Dr Phil Richards

Press

• Clive Mitchell
• Sarah Nice

Funding

Research grants include funding from Centrica, Cuadrilla., GDF Suez, Total.

Publications

This article is part of the Spinwatch Fracking Portal and project

• Press release, 'Shale gas resource figure released', 27 June 2013

Contact

:Headquarters:

British Geological Survey

Environmental Science Centre

Nicker Hill

Keyworth

Nottingham NG12 5GG

:London Office:

Natural History Museum

Cromwell Road

London SW7 5BD

Phone:+44 (0)20 7589 4090

Website:http://www.bgs.ac.uk/contacts/sites/home.html