330 Wirtschaft
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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.
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.