Fracking: What is it and how does it work?

The government has lifted the ban on fracking for shale gas in England

It's one of the actions she says the government will be taking to boost economic growth and fund its plans to tackle the current energy crisis.

However, it's often been viewed as a controversial practice.

The government previously banned fracking in England in November 2019, following opposition from environmentalists and concerns over earth tremors, which are small movements in the Earth's surface.

Liz Truss announced the government's plans to tackle the energy crisis in the House of Commons

However, the new prime minister has announced the ban will be lifted as part of plans to boost the UK's energy supply.

Labour party leader Sir Keir Starmer said fracking would not reduce bills and would also affect efforts to curb climate change.

The Scottish and Welsh governments oppose fracking, and say they will not use their powers to grant drilling licences for the practice.

What is fracking?

Hydraulic fracturing - or 'fracking' - is a technique used to capture a type of gas found deep underground in shale rock.

Shale gas is trapped inside tiny pockets of rock, which makes it hard to reach.

But recent developments in technology have now made it possible to capture shale gas.

How does it work?

This test drilling rig near Blackpool was the first in the UK boring exploration holes 4,000 feet deep

Fracking works by drilling straight down and turning the drill horizontally for miles underground.

The aim is to reach the tiny pockets or cracks in the shale rock where gas molecules are locked away.

Water is pumped down to widen these pockets, and the gas is then released and brought up to the surface.

What are the benefits?

The way the UK currently generates energy can't carry on forever, so new methods are needed.

Energy companies say fracking would help to give the UK a major source of fuel for the future.

Currently most of our gas is imported from other countries - and that is expensive.

Fracking in the US and Canada has resulted in finding enough gas to last about 100 years.

It's also thought that generating electricity from shale gas produces about half the carbon dioxide emissions compared to coal power.

Why are people against it?

Some people are worried about fracking because they think it's too dangerous.

Water companies have said that drinking water could be contaminated with methane gas and chemicals.

Fracking also uses huge amounts of water that must be transported to the fracking site, which has an environmental impact.

There is also a concern that fracking can trigger minor earthquakes.

Previous fracking applications have attracted protests from activists and locals

It's thought two small earthquakes of 1.5 and 2.2 magnitude in the Blackpool area in 2011 were caused by fracking - but this hasn't been proven.

Fracking in Lancashire was suspended in 2019 after a large tremor, which measured 2.9 in magnitude, was recorded at the site.

Some campaigners think money should be invested in renewable sources of energy, such as wind power instead of fracking.