Oil, Gas Regulator to Allow Exploration of 27 Fracking Sites Across UK

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Britain’s Oil & Gas Authority (OGA) announced Wednesday it would award licenses to UK companies to drill for shale oil and gas in 27 additional locations in England.

"Today’s announcement regarding the offer of 27 blocks gives those successful companies assurance about the blocks that they will be formally offered later in the year," OGA Chief Executive Andy Samuel was quoted as saying in the regulator's statement.

At present additional 132 blocks are being assessed, according to the statement.

The move will give legitimacy to the country’s nascent fracking industry, create additional employment and contribute to the economic growth of the country's energy industries, according to UK Energy Minister Lord Bourne.

"As part of our long-term plan to build a more resilient economy, create jobs and deliver secure energy supplies, we continue to back our onshore oil and gas industry and the safe development of shale gas in the UK. This is why the OGA has moved quickly to confirm the winners of license blocks which do not need further environmental assessment," the energy minister stated.

The exploration sites, covering over 100 square miles, encompass areas of the Midlands and the North East.

The decision was made during the 14th onshore licensing round, the first in seven years. It was launched on July 28, 2014 and lasted up to late October 2014. The OGA received a total of 95 applications from 47 companies.