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Would have posted earlier but some hot copper jammed my Gun.

French shale ban extended
French Prime Minister Francois Fillon extended a moratorium on research and drilling for shale oil and gas until mid-June, pending reports commissioned by the government to establish drilling?s impact on the environment.

News wires 11 March 2011 19:31 GMT

France has large oil and gas shale reserves, but projects have sparked controversy due to the possible impact on the environment caused by drilling techniques used on such deposits.

In a letter sent to various ministries today, Fillon asked that a ban on research and work be extended until 15 June when the reports are due to be published, Reuters reported.

The ban had been due to expire on 15 April.

France is the only European country to be considering the production of shale oil, analysts say. The Paris basin has similar traits to the Bakken formation in the United States, which has 4 billion barrels of recoverable shale oil, the International Energy Agency has said.

Paris-based independent Toreador Resources is at the vanguard of the French shale search after securing over half of the exploration permits in the Paris basin.

Published: 11 March 2011 19:31 GMT | Last updated: 11 March 2011 19:32 GMT