In the years since then, more exploratory drilling has been carried out, and the estimates of UK shale gas reserves have been revised downwards significantly. In 2015, the BGS revised its estimate to 800 tcf, and in 2019, it revised it again to 400 tcf.
There are a number of reasons why the estimates of UK shale gas reserves have been revised downwards. First, the exploratory wells that have been drilled have not found as much gas as expected. Second, the geology of the UK shale gas fields is more complex than previously thought, which makes it more difficult to extract the gas. Third, the cost of extracting shale gas has increased, making it less economically viable.
The downward revision of UK shale gas reserves has had a number of consequences. First, it has made it less likely that the UK will be able to develop a significant shale gas industry. Second, it has reduced the UK's energy security, as shale gas was seen as a potential source of domestic gas. Third, it has led to a reassessment of the UK's energy policy, as the government had been planning to rely on shale gas to meet its future energy needs.
The discovery that UK shale gas reserves are much smaller than previously thought is a significant setback for the UK government and the energy industry. It is a reminder that the development of new energy sources is a complex and uncertain process, and that there are no guarantees of success.
