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erman Finance Minister Christian Lindner has said in an interview the state should examine the feasibility of producing domestic shale gas using fracking, which is presently prohibited in Germany.
Fracking is a technology which shatters shale rock using a mixture of pressurized liquids, made up of water and chemicals, allowing oil and gas to be extracted. Germany has used the technology going back to the 1960’s in natural gas extraction from conventional reserves such as sandstone and carbonate stones. About a third of natural gas production in the state comes from conventional reserves which have been accessed using fracking.
In 2011, the state placed unconventional fracking of shale and coal seams, which utilizes horizontal drilling techniques, under a moratorium. It was then largely banned by the state over fears that it would introduce pollution to water supplies, trigger earthquakes, or cause other adverse environmental consequences.
Lindner said, “We have significant gas deposits in Germany that can be extracted without endangering drinking water. It would be rather irresponsible to refrain from fracking because of ideological commitments.”
