Asked by: Lee Rowley (Conservative - North East Derbyshire)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the Written Statement of 17 May 2018 on Energy Policy, HCWS690, whether the definition of non-hydraulic fracturing excludes fracturing with the use of (a) acid, (b) gas, (c) other substances and (d) water below the limits set out in the definition of hydraulic fracturing in section 50 of the Infrastructure Act 2015.
Answered by Claire Perry
In the Written Statement of 17 May 2018, the Government committed to consult on the principle of whether non-hydraulic fracturing shale exploration development should be treated as permitted development. The consultation sought views on a proposed definition of non-hydraulic fracturing shale exploration development. The Government will respond to the consultation in due course.
Asked by: Lee Rowley (Conservative - North East Derbyshire)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to Written Statement of 17 May 2018 on Energy Policy, HCWS690, what (a) methodology and (b) data were used by his Department for the statement that shale gas companies could make set payments to communities with shale developments for up to £10m.
Answered by Claire Perry
The figure quoted is an industry estimate that has been modelled on scenarios in the Institute of Directors’ report entitled ‘Getting shale gas working’.
The shale gas industry has made a commitment through its Community Engagement Charter[1], to provide benefits to local communities at locations where hydraulic fracturing takes place.
[1] http://www.ukoog.org.uk/community/charter
Asked by: Lee Rowley (Conservative - North East Derbyshire)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment has been made of UK demand for natural gas from 2018 to 2038.
Answered by Claire Perry
This is publicly available information and can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/digest-of-uk-energy-statistics-dukes.
Asked by: Lee Rowley (Conservative - North East Derbyshire)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many times the Minister for Energy and Clean Growth has met shale gas (a) companies and (b) industry representatives since June 2017.
Answered by Claire Perry
I have met periodically with both shale gas companies and industry representatives.
Asked by: Lee Rowley (Conservative - North East Derbyshire)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, which shale gas companies the Minister for Energy and Clean Growth has met since June 2017.
Answered by Claire Perry
Since June 2017, in my capacity as Minister for Energy and Clean Growth, I have met with a range of stakeholders, including representatives from shale gas companies.
Asked by: Lee Rowley (Conservative - North East Derbyshire)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many shale gas exploration and hydraulic fracturing sites the Minister for Energy and Clean Growth has visited since June 2017.
Answered by Claire Perry
I have had a number of meetings with stakeholders interested in shale gas exploration, but have not yet had opportunity to visit a site.
Asked by: Lee Rowley (Conservative - North East Derbyshire)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate his Department has made of the number of onshore wells needed to be hydraulically fractured in the UK between 2018-2038 to replace 50 per cent of the UK's natural gas demand.
Answered by Claire Perry
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has not made any estimates on the proportion of UK gas demand that could be met from UK-sourced shale gas.
Asked by: Lee Rowley (Conservative - North East Derbyshire)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment has been made of the potential effect of the operation of the shale gas industry in the UK on the level of gas prices from 2018 to 2038.
Answered by Claire Perry
I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Southampton, Test on 6th April 2018 response to Question 134603. The Government will continue to monitor progress of the shale gas industry and will revise its estimates, as appropriate, as the industry develops.
Asked by: Lee Rowley (Conservative - North East Derbyshire)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many onshore wells the Government estimates will be hydraulically fractured for shale gas in the UK from 2018-2038.
Answered by Claire Perry
I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Southampton, Test on 6th April 2018 response to Question 134603. The Government will continue to monitor progress of the shale gas industry and will revise its estimates, as appropriate, as the industry develops.
Asked by: Lee Rowley (Conservative - North East Derbyshire)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many onshore wells the Government aims to be hydraulically fractured for shale gas between 2018-2038.
Answered by Claire Perry
I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Southampton, Test on 6th April 2018 response to Question 134603. The Government will continue to monitor progress of the shale gas industry and will revise its estimates, as appropriate, as the industry develops.