The debate over fracking safety has travelled across the Atlantic and is now being argued in the UK.
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The latest debate follows the discovery of a large shale gas field in and around Blackpool, Lancashire, a seaside town in the North West of England.
The field, tested by Cuadrilla Resources, was announced in September 2011, with potential reserves of 5.6tnM³ of gas and, at the time, enthusiastic talks of as many as 800 wells being drilled in the area.
However, Cuadrilla used fracking techniques during the tests which caused two minor earthquakes in the area, measuring at 2.3 and 1.5 on the 'local magnitude' scale, for which the company later admitted responsibility via an internal report. All drilling was suspended by the UK authorities and an independent public enquiry launched.
In April 2012, the findings of the enquiry were released with the Government announcing that it will make a final decision in June on whether drilling can recommence in Lancashire. If so, it would be under strict new tremor detection guidelines. The possibility of restarting the drilling was met with a wave of concern from environmental campaigners.
The debate about fracking, and its possible impact on water tables surrounding drilling sites, has been ongoing in the US for some years. Both sides continue to produce evidence to show the safety and environmental benefits, or otherwise, of the fracking process and shale gas exploration in general. However, the argument is new to the UK and has generated significant media coverage.
Throughout the debate it would appear that exploration companies and environmentalists alike agree on one aspect: that fracking requires clear guidelines and proper regulation.