Johnson considers lifting fracking ban to ease reliance on Putin’s oil

Controversial technique could make a comeback as UK joins US in moving to block Russian fuel imports

BORIS JOHNSON has opened the door to the return of fracking in the UK, The Daily Telegraph understands, as he moved to ban imports of Russian oil in response to the Ukraine conflict.

The Prime Minister wants his ministers to look again at whether fracking, which has been under a “moratorium” for more than two years, can help diversify the country’s energy supply.

Mr Johnson is said to regard Moscow’s military aggression as providing a “moment of great clarity” about the dangers Europe faces in relying on Russian oil and gas imports.

“We need alternative sources of energy that are cheaper and more reliable and less vulnerable to the whims of a dictator,” said a senior government source, in reference to Vladimir Putin.

It came as President Putin last night issued an order for Russia to restrict trade in some “raw materials” in response to Western sanctions, a move that could see gas exports cut.

This newspaper understands ministers now back England’s only two viable shale gas wells being handed to the British Geological Survey rather than sealed up with concrete, in a sign of the softening position. It means they could be reopened at a later date.

Yesterday, the United States and Britain announced they are to ban Russian oil imports in an attempt to increase the financial pressure on the Kremlin.

Joe Biden, the US President, signed an executive order blocking imports of Russian oil, natural gas and coal, saying it would land a “powerful blow to Putin’s war machine”. Kwasi Kwarteng, the Business Secretary, said the UK would “phase out” imports of Russian oil by the end of this year and was “exploring options” to end Russian gas imports.

Neither country is reliant on Russian energy but it reflects how London and Washington are working together to isolate Russia economically.

The European Commission yesterday published plans to cut EU demand for Russian gas by two thirds and be “independent of Russian fossil fuels well before 2030”. Germany is particularly reliant on Russian energy and Chancellor Olaf Scholz opposed an immediate ban.

Fracking, short for hydraulic fracturing, is a technique of drilling into the ground and pumping in liquid at high pressure to extract oil or natural gas. It is widely used in America and has helped it increase its energy independence. However, it is controversial in the UK because of concerns over earth tremors that the technique can create.

There has been a moratorium on fracking since November 2019 which was approved by Mr Johnson before the last general election. However, it is understood that in recent days he has begun to discuss again with his inner circle whether fracking could form some part of the UK’S energy future.

The Prime Minister is said to want ministers to look at whether fracking could return as they work on an “energy supply strategy” announced this week.

The strategy is looking at how the UK can become more energy self-reliant and will consider speeding up the adoption of small, “modular” nuclear reactors as well as renewable energy sources.

One idea is whether providing financial incentives to communities that approve fracking nearby could change the public mood on the technology.

It has been alleged that a key factor in fracking being banned moments before the 2019 election was because those in charge of the Tory campaign were nervous about its unpopularity.