Economic, Environmental and Social Considerations of Shale Gas in the EU

The goal of this study is to provide an overview of shale gas development in the USA and assess the implications of findings for the prospects for shale gas development in the EU by 2020-2030. Particular emphasis is given to environmental and social aspects of market-scale extraction of shale gas. Purely technological, techno-economic and regulatory aspects of shale gas exploitation are beyond the scope of this study. The analysis is based on a critical review of a number of literature sources, complemented by the author’s analysis. The large majority of background data and information were collected from publicly available sources within the period June-November 2011. The study was finalised in January 2012.JRC.H.8-Sustainability Assessmen