France Prohibits Hydraulic Fracturing, but not the Exploration and Exploitation of Shale Gas and Shale Oil

The French National Assembly discussed and rejected on 11 October 2011 a law proposal submitted in July 2011 which aimed to forbid the exploration and exploitation of unconventional hydrocarbons (i.e., including shale gas and shale oil), to repeal the exclusive permits for research of mines of non-conventional hydrocarbons, and to ensure more transparency in the Mining Code. This means that, although France passed a law on 13 July 2011 which prohibits the exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons by hydraulic fracturing on the French territory (loi n° 2011-835), the research and exploitation of unconventional hydrocarbons by other methods remain legal. The proposed legislation was rejected by a large majority, 269 against, 191 in favour, mostly originating from the party of the government.

References:

Text of the proposal, availalble HERE: Proposition de Loi No. 3690 visant à interdire l'exploration et l'exploitation des hydrocarbures non conventionnels, à abroger les permis exclusifs de recherche de mines d'hydrocarbures non conventionnels et à assurer plus de transparence dans le code minier.