Overview of the current status and development of shale gas and shale oil in Europe. Report T3b of the EUOGA study (EU Unconventional Oil and Gas Assessment)

The present status of shale gas and oil development within the European Union member countries including Ukraine and Norway is presented based on a questionnaire send to all National Geological Surveys (NGS’). The status includes an overview of countries with potential resources, the activity level and the geological surveys have given their analysis on the member state position concerning shale gas and shale oil exploration and hydro fracturing.

A total of 26 countries are covered in this study and 22 out of these countries have a potential shale gas/oil resource within their country. In 15 countries assessments of the shale gas and oil resources have been performed either by the NGS or a third party; however, not all assessments are publicly available.

The level of activities with respect to shale gas and oil exploration in the European countries covered in this report is generally low and 20 countries have no present activities and near future activities are not expected. Out of the remaining 6 countries only 3 countries expects future activities.

The low activity level is related to low political and public support for shale gas and oil exploration and resource development. In Europe shale gas/oil exploration and development is presently only permitted in 7 countries. A low support is in most cases described as concerns related to the use of hydro fracturing and the environmental impact.

The second section of this report provides a summary of the basins that host shale gas and oil, and of the shale oil and gas plays itself with emphasis on exploration and production results and available published assessments.