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Two North East sites amongst potential fracking locations

In a list of 27 locations across England, The Oil and Gas Authority has named two sites near Middlesbrough as sites where licences to frack for shale oil and gas will be offered.

12 companies have been given exclusive rights to explore for oil and gas, including through the use of the controversial fracking method.

The exploration, which is still subject to planning consent, would include fracking on numerous blocks of land, which are typically 100 sq-km, including on two sites in Teesside.

UK Energy Minister Lord Bourne said: “Keeping the lights on and powering the economy is not negotiable, and these industries will play a key part in providing secure and reliable energy to UK homes and businesses for decades to come.”

But Greenpeace campaigner Daisy Sands said: “Hundreds of battles will spring up to defend our rural landscapes from the pollution, noise and drilling rigs that come with fracking.”

Fracking, in which water, chemicals and sand are blasted at shale rocks to release the gas trapped within, has caused controversy amongst campaigners as it presents a risk of water contamination as well as disruption to rural communities.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellen Forster .