France withdraws shale gas permits from Schuepbach, Total

The French government has withdrawn two permits for shale gas exploration from Schuepbach Energy LLC, Dallas, and one permit from France’s Total SA, all involving sites in southwestern France.

Paula Dittrick

Oct. 5, 2011

The French government has withdrawn two permits for shale gas exploration from Schuepbach Energy LLC, Dallas, and one permit from France’s Total SA, all involving sites in southwestern France.

“We have decided to abrogate the three research permits,” Ecology Minister Nathalie Koscisko-Morizet told Agence France-Presse in a news story published Oct. 3. She said Schuepbach failed to submit plans for drilling using alternate methods than hydraulic fracturing within a 2-month deadline. Schuepbach’s plans mentioned fracing.

Total’s plan did not mention fracing, but French officials found the plan “not credible,” she told AFP.

No comment was immediately available to OGJ from Schuepbach or Total.

French lawmakers in June voted against fracing, which has raised public concerns about possible contamination of drinking water (OGJ Online, Apr. 22, 2011).

About the Author

Paula Dittrick

Senior Staff Writer

Paula Dittrick has covered oil and gas from Houston for more than 20 years. Starting in May 2007, she developed a health, safety, and environment beat for Oil & Gas Journal. Dittrick is familiar with the industry’s financial aspects. She also monitors issues associated with carbon sequestration and renewable energy.

Dittrick joined OGJ in February 2001. Previously, she worked for Dow Jones and United Press International. She began writing about oil and gas as UPI’s West Texas bureau chief during the 1980s. She earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in journalism from the University of Nebraska in 1974.