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| Photo: Depositphotos.com |
The
Netherlands will not give out any permits for the exploration for shale gas in
the Netherlands, economic affairs minister Erik Wiebes has confirmed to
parliament.
‘Shale gas is not an option in the Netherlands any more,’ Wiebes
said. ‘We are not doing it. It is over and done with.’
The previous economic
affairs minister Henk Kamp introduced a five-year moratorium on drilling for
shale gas which expires in 2020.
Shale gas is ordinary natural gas that has
been trapped in dense shale beds deep underground. It is extracted using a
controversial process known as fracking, which involves drilling a hole deep
into the shale and pumping in water mixed with sand and chemicals.
A number of
local councils, water boards and even brewing groups like Heineken have come
out against the production of shale gas in the Netherlands because of the risk
of pollution.
Energy group Cuadrilla, which had been given a licence to test
drill for shale gas at two locations in the Netherlands, is currently appealing to the Council of State against Kamp’s decision to suspend its licence after
bringing in the five year ban.
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