TY - JOUR A1 - Weile, René T1 - Beyond the Fracking Ban in France JF - Journal of European Management & Public Affairs Studies N2 - France holds the second-largest shale gas reserves in Europe but became the first country to enact a ban on hydraulic fracturing in July 2011. A conservative government issued 64 research and exploration permits in early 2010, but half a year later a strong antifracking movement emerged which pushed for a ban. The government caved in to enormous political pressure, revoking three permits and limiting the rest. Once the Socialists won the presidency and legislative majorities, they reaffirmed a strict stand against fracking. The article shows how the ban developed and puts the government’s position into the context of economic and industrial challenges. The author argues that essentially, France is waiting for discovery of environmentally friendly extraction methods. The law which created the ban still leaves some options. Also, there has been growing pressure to open up the debate about shale gas again. The article suggests possible ways to reconfigure public debate about the resources and technology. KW - economic policy KW - energy KW - energy policy KW - fracking KW - France KW - hydraulic fracturing KW - moratorium KW - natural gas KW - regulatory politics KW - shale gas KW - unconventional gas Y1 - 2014 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:526-opus4-2862 SN - 2199-1618 VL - 1 IS - 2 SP - 11 EP - 16 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Devey, Simon A1 - Goussev, Viktor A1 - Schwarzenburg, Bianca A1 - Althaus, Marco T1 - Shale Gas U-Turns in Bulgaria and Romania: The Turbulent Politics of Energy and Protest JF - Journal of European Management & Public Affairs Studies N2 - After France, Bulgaria became the second EU country to enact an open-ended ban on hydraulic fracturing in early 2012. This government action was a radical departure from an initially friendly, even enthusiastic stance on unconventional gas development. It resulted in months of unprecedented, broad political pro-test from environmental groups and local communities. The conflict was interpreted as one involving old questions about Bulgaria’s orientation toward Russia or the West. In neighbouring Romania, Bulgaria’s U-turn on shale gas energized a protest movement which had been relatively weak. In a turbulent election-year context, political leaders scrambled to deal with highly symbolic issues. A new government introduced a moratorium but ended it less than a year later. Another U-turn in public policy happened. Romania parted from Bulgaria’s example and set out to move forward on shale gas, aiding foreign investors. Massive protests against the policy and the investors surged, en-circling the drilling operations. In both countries, public mistrust in institutions, environmental regulations and due process of law is a significant factor of political risk for energy companies. KW - Bulgaria KW - Chevron KW - civil society KW - communication KW - energy KW - energy policy KW - environment KW - fracking KW - hydraulic fracturing KW - moratorium KW - Nabucco KW - natural gas KW - pipeline KW - political risk KW - protest KW - Gazprom KW - Romania KW - Russia KW - shale gas KW - South Stream KW - unconventional gas KW - USA Y1 - 2014 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:526-opus4-2859 SN - 2199-1618 VL - 1 IS - 2 SP - 47 EP - 60 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Becker, Vanessa A1 - Werner, Anne T1 - One Step Forward, One Step Back: Shale Gas in Denmark and Sweden JF - Journal of European Management & Public Affairs Studies N2 - Denmark and Sweden take two-fold positions on the question whether shale gas should be developed. At first sight, it appears the governments are supportive by licencing exploration to domestic and foreign companies. However, Denmark has suspended issuance of new licenses as doubts of extraction activities have risen. Sweden was forced to give landowners and municipalities a say in decision-making, and there is a larger context of mining minerals policy controversy. Even though both countries only have exploration activities at the moment, and the economic promise is yet unclear, public awareness and attention are increasing and cause difficulties for governments and industry to proceed without open discussions and debates. Scandinavia’s green image is at stake as the new fossil fuel opportunities are in conflict with the ambitious goals for renewable energy development. Both countries now have to prioritise energy self-sufficiency and industrial economics versus ecological consciousness. KW - Denmark KW - energy KW - energy policy KW - fracking KW - hydraulic fracturing KW - mining KW - protest KW - public acceptance KW - regulatory politics KW - Scandinavia KW - shale gas KW - Sweden KW - unconventional gas Y1 - 2014 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:526-opus4-2847 SN - 2199-1618 VL - 1 IS - 2 SP - 23 EP - 30 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Naumann, Marc A1 - Philippi, Anne T1 - ExxonMobil in Europe’s Shale Gas Fields: Quitting Early or Fighting It Out? JF - Journal of European Management & Public Affairs Studies N2 - This article focuses on the oil and gas supermajor, ExxonMobil, and its business in the unconventional gas field in Europe. The purpose was to investigate whether and how ExxonMobil runs its natural gas operations differently among European countries and possible reasons for divergent strategies. After a brief introduction of the firm, ExxonMobil’s approach in Europe in general will be discussed. Two countries are in focus: Poland and Germany. The key finding is that the firm indeed has shown different approaches and strategies. In Poland, ExxonMobil faced a supportive, positive environment but quit quickly when its small investment resulted only in disappointing results. The firm, however, was a newcomer which had not much to lose. In contrast, its German unconventional gas operations are connected to broad conventional activities and are being defended by an extensive effort to win back public support. KW - energy KW - energy policy KW - ExxonMobil KW - fracking KW - Germany KW - hydraulic fracturing KW - Poland KW - public acceptance KW - regulatory politics KW - shale gas KW - unconventional gas KW - USA Y1 - 2014 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:526-opus4-2816 SN - 2199-1618 VL - 1 IS - 2 SP - 31 EP - 38 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Niemuth, Stephanie A1 - Westphal, Sophie T1 - Blind Politics of Ambition: Shale Gas in Poland JF - Journal of European Management & Public Affairs Studies N2 - Ever since the impacts of the shale gas revolution in the US have unfolded their measurable effects – as significantly declining natural gas prices – impressive euphoria among those states which are identified to bear high potentials of unconventional gas is widely spread. As for Poland, essentially linked to the hope of profitably producing shale gas is the political will to strive for independence from Russian energy supply and thus, enhance energy supply security. Hence, liberalizing its gas market shall effectively contribute to foster economic developments in the field of unconventional gas exploration and production. Moreover, attempts are made to encourage particularly foreign investors – for the reason of expertise – to enter the Polish gas market by amending and expanding legislation in favour of this development. Legislation efforts, however, intend to preserve comprehensive governmental control capabilities. In addition, arising environmental concerns are being tried to handle either by campaigns of clarification or political blockade to any legislation that potentially threatens the progress on unconventional gas in Poland. Poland not only faces crucial challenges in terms of diminished estimates on profitably recoverable shale gas volumes but rather in terms of an escalating atmosphere of uncertainty for investors – regarding the much criticised new legislation as well as an upcoming diminution of societal support. KW - energy KW - energy policy KW - fracking KW - hydraulic fracturing KW - natural gas KW - Poland KW - regulatory politics KW - shale gas KW - tax KW - unconventional gas Y1 - 2014 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:526-opus4-2827 SN - 2199-1618 VL - 1 IS - 2 SP - 39 EP - 46 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Devos-Chernova, Simon G. J. T1 - Unconventional Gas in the Benelux: Cautious Attitudes and Regional Interplay JF - Journal of European Management & Public Affairs Studies N2 - The three countries of the Benelux are often overlooked in Europe’s current unconventional gas debate. But the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg all possess considerable shale gas resources, and major energy companies have already taken an interest. So far no serious drilling has taken place. This article puts the discoveries and recent action in the perspective of regional breakdown of public policy and government authority. Analyzing business prospects, economic policy and regulatory action of the different governments in the Benelux, the article yields insight into the relevant power structure inside the policy domain. The influence of different members of the Benelux on the other members is discussed. All three countries have adopted a rather cautious attitude towards the exploration and production of unconventional gas. KW - Belgium KW - Benelux KW - chemical industry KW - coalbed methane KW - energy KW - energy policy KW - Flanders KW - fracking KW - hydraulic fracturing KW - Luxembourg KW - regulatory politics KW - Royal Dutch Shell KW - shale gas KW - The Netherlands KW - unconventional gas Y1 - 2014 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:526-opus4-2801 SN - 2199-1618 VL - 1 IS - 2 SP - 17 EP - 22 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Gu, Bingyi A1 - Nazmyi, Hisham T1 - Britain’s Shale Gas Zeal and Riches JF - Journal of European Management & Public Affairs Studies N2 - The United Kingdom is considered to be shale gas rich with substantial volumes distributed both onshore and offshore. Recent technological development has made shale gas exploration commercially viable. The UK’s shale gas industry is at an early stage, with a few companies actively operating in this area and merely a few specific regulations exist for it. Many questions are waiting to be answered, many barriers must be overcome. This article analyses the UK’s current state of play for shale gas. First, background information and a brief description of shale gas hydraulic fracturing is given. Government and business points of view will be illustrated and analysed before offering an outlook. KW - Cuadrilla Resources KW - energy KW - energy policy KW - fracking KW - hydraulic fracturing KW - iGas KW - natural gas KW - shale gas KW - unconventional gas KW - United Kingdom Y1 - 2014 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:526-opus4-2787 SN - 2199-1618 VL - 1 IS - 2 SP - 5 EP - 10 ER -