A new research report written by the Joint Research Centre of the EU Commission suggests that under a best case scenario, taking into account environmental considerations, future shale gas production in Europe could help the EU maintain its dependency on energy imports at around 50 % of its total energy needs. But the report also reveals the sometimes considerable uncertainty about recoverable volumes, technological developments, public acceptance and access to land and markets.

This courageous JRC study will without doubt lead to furious reactions from the shale gas lobby.

Read the full report ‘Unconvential Gas: Potential Energy Market Impacts in the European Union”

See also Reuters: Shale Gas will not cut EU import dependence .