A new report on the shale gas supply chain discusses the potentially huge economic benefits to the UK economy and measures to minimise the environmental impact of shale gas.
Shale gas could create a new onshore supply chain market for equipment, services and skills across a number of industry sectors worth up to £33 billion (€ 40.2 bn) by 2032, creating over 64,000 jobs. The report supports the numbers released in May, 2013 by the Institute of Directors* (IoD). Greenpeace criticizes the recent report, however, stating that it appears “to be somewhat on the optimistic end of the spectrum and based on some very debatable assumptions.”
The United Kingdom Onshore Operators Group (UKOOG) commissioned Ernst & Young LLP to produce ‘Getting ready for UK shale gas’, to provide a common view of the supply chain for UK shale, with the aim of helping parties to prepare and avoid blockages that might slow progress. The report was partly funded by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills.

*The institute of Directors (IoD) is UK’s longest running organisation for professional leaders. They support their members, encourage entrepreneurial activity and promote responsible business practice for the benefit of the business community and society as a whole. The IoD released two earlier shale gas reports: ‘Britain’s Shale Gas Potential’ in September, 2012 and ‘Getting shale gas working’ in May, 2013. The latter was sponsored by Cuadrilla Resources Ltd.