20.08.2014 • NewsBG GroupDart EnergyDede Willams

Ineos Acquires Scotland Shale Gas Exploration License

Ineos has acquired the 51% stake owned by BG Group in a UK shale gas exploration license. The remaining 49% is in the hands of Dart Energy, which is in the process of being taken over British fracking company IGas Energy.

The licence covers 127 square miles of Scotland's Midland Valley, which includes the Swiss-based chemical producer's Grangemouth refinery and petrochemical complex as well as the surrounding area, spanning the Firth of Forth and including Grangemouth, Falkirk and much of Stirling.

Calling the buy a "logical next step," Gary Haywood, CEO of Ineos Upstream, said that over the past year the Ineos group company has been putting together a team of experts in the sector, including a number of leading shale exploration and development specialists from the US.

"This expertise gives us the perfect platform to move into onshore exploration," Haywood remarked.

No shale gas exploration has yet taken place in the area, but Dart calculates that it could contain 4.4 trillion cubic feet of gas. If 10% were recoverable, some estimates suggest this could provide enough gas to meet Scotland's needs for more than a year.

The Ineos announcement came as anti-fracking activists across the UK gathered for a day of action, in part involving blockades at the offices of energy companies and government agencies.

While a survey conducted in June is said to have shown that in the UK altogether as much as 57% of respondents were in favour of shale gas exploration, those in London and Scotland showed the least amount of support, at 52% and 53% respectively.

CHEManager Spotlight

Standardization and Harmonization of Digital Chemical and Pharmaceutical Logistics
Creating Interfaces

Standardization and Harmonization of Digital Chemical and Pharmaceutical Logistics

CHEManager Spotlight is an exclusive event tailored for practitioners and decision-makers in the chemical industry. This part of our event series delves into the latest trends and innovations in logistics to streamline your operations and drive efficiency.

Whitepaper

Excellence in Pharmaceutical Distribution and The Critical Role of Good Distribution Practice (GDP)
Setting the Standard

Excellence in Pharmaceutical Distribution and The Critical Role of Good Distribution Practice (GDP)

Are you ready to elevate your pharmaceutical operations? Download our exclusive whitepaper and discover how compliance with Good Distribution Practice (GDP) is essential for the safety and integrity of pharmaceuticals.