The Mirage of Shale Gas

"Today, in the United States, a new well is drilled every twelve minutes, and that model is what some wish to bring to Europe." Job creation, lower gas bills, renewed competitiveness, geopolitical upheaval, energy independence-such are the arguments used by oil and gas lobby groups to influence public opinion and impose shale gas exploitation throughout Europe. Focused on the American example and oblivious of European economic and legal requirements, lobbies toss out counter-truths regarding the economic benefits that shale gas production would generate. However, what they call an energy revolution actually is a dangerous "gold rush" with a single mission-intensive drilling, to satisfy the hunger for profit of a few at the expense of the general interest.What would happen if France decided to exploit its shale gas? Would there be job creations, a drop in energy prices or a return to competitiveness? Would we reach the Holy Grail of energy independence? Thomas Porcher offers an unprecedented study of the consequences of a legislative allowance of such exploitation.Based on the American experience and taking into account the legal and economic specificities of France, this book counterbalances, point-by-point, information largely dominated by lobbies, and provides crucial answers in the midst of the current debate on shale gas in France.