Scientists react to new government plans for awarding oil and gas licences.    Prof Sam Fankhauser, Professor of Climate Economics … read more

There has been recent debate and media discussion about the use of fracking in the UK and its role in … read more

An abstract, being presented at the Goldschmidt geochemistry conference, reports that Scientists have developed a method for extracting hydrogen gas from … read more

Research in PNAS suggested that fluid-injection operations—such as those used in the production of geothermal power, extraction of petroleum, and disposal of fluid wastes—may cause more small earthquakes than previously reported. read more

The Elgin North Sea natural gas rig was found to be leaking gas, leading to the evacuation of all workers and imposition of an air and sea exclusion zone. read more

The energy company Cuadrilla published a report into hydraulic fracturing (‘fracking’) in shale gas exploration, and whether it could be linked to earthquakes near to the drilling site in the north of England. read more

A leak from a flowline to the Shell-operated Gannet Alpha platform caused the biggest oil spill in the North Sea for a decade. read more

In the first of a series of climate change-related briefings in the run-up to key negotiations taking place in Copenhagen in December, this briefing marked the publication of a new report by the UK Energy Research Centre on best estimates of when global oil production could peak, and how this can be reconciled with rising demand. read more

During the IMarEST ‘Arctic Workshop’ scientists took time out to brief journalists on the possible consequences of climate change for the artic region – the negative ecological consequences but also some economic advantages. Some strong positive outcomes for the fishing and sea transport industries as well as for oil and gas exploration arose from the discussion, all of which add further controversy to the issue of climate change. read more

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Environment Agency released the results of their investigation into the causes and the environmental impact of the explosions at the Buncefield oil depot in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. read more

Science Media Centre fielded enquiries and provided experts on the health and environmental effects of the Buncefield oil explosion. read more