Hydraulic fracturing refers to a technique that aims for the restoration of gas from shale rocks which are deeply bedded underground. The process includes millions of gallons of fluid (a mixture of water), sand and chemicals are injected at an extremely high pressure to break shale rocks.

Waste and saltwater injections into the surface can cause small earthquakes, but some time may be large enough to be felt. Many injection wells for sewage are not correlated with felt earthquakes. In order to trigger earthquakes, a combination of various other factors is also mandatory for injection.

In some EU countries, including France, Germany, Ireland, and parts of the UK (Scotland and Wales) fracking for shale gas is permanently banned. In the UK, fracking of shale gas has become controversial between recently. The Government had been aspiring for shale gas boom similar to the one which is being enjoyed in the US and could secure their energy independence. The UK believed that fracking has the potential to help reduce its imports of gas from Norway and Qatar. 

On the other side, the anti-fracking movement believes that fracking can result in earthquakes and immense damage to the countryside. The local residents and ecologists consider fracking it as a violation of the environmental policies and Parris agreement as it can cause not only earthquakes but also creates water pollution.

The future of fracking is presently in doubt after Boris Johnson government banned shale gas explorations. The drilling was halted at the end of August after a magnitude of 2.9 earthquake triggered by Cuadrilla Resource operation at its Preston New Road facility in Lancashire.

The British Geological Inspection concludes that the site of Cuadrilla contains approximately 2,300 trillion cubic feet of shale gas, which can support national energy requirements for over 100 years. In 2016, the Conservative government estimated that around 20 shale wells would become operational by the mid of 2017, but so far only three wells have been drilled. 

In 2018, the government survey found that 85% of British people support renewable energy technologies such as wind, solar and hydroelectric power alternative to fossil fuels and around 32 % of people in the country were in favour of shale gas. 

Boris Johnson’s government ban on fracking can be an election stunt ahead of December national election, where the environmental issue is expected to be strong. In the past, Boris Johnson was in favour of fracking in the UK. But suddenly he has turned his back on the shale gas industry. In preparation for the general election, Boris Johnson said that the ban would continue until new compelling evidence can be found for the safe extraction of shale gas. Jeremy Corbyn in a tweet said, “The Conservatives’ temporary pause of fracking is an election stunt to try and win a few votes.”