The French oil and gas giant Total has decided to abandon its shale gas exploration plans in Denmark following poor results from initial drilling in north Jutland and overwhelming public resistance.
According to Nordjyske Stiftstidende newspaper, the company has decided to return its permit to explore and drill for shale gas in Denmark.
“Many Danes have fought a tough and brave fight to stop Total’s drilling for shale gas and it’s a massive victory for the Danish resistance to shale gas,” said Tarjei Haaland, a climate and energy spokesperson for Greenpeace.
“Shale gas drilling involves pumping tonnes of poisonous chemicals into the ground, and it would be risking Denmark’s clear groundwater. Total’s exit from Denmark is good news for the climate, the environment, the groundwater and public health.”
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Last year, Total also gave up its fracking plans in north Zealand, and the North Sea fund Nordsøfonden believes that the price of oil would probably need to increase tenfold for the fracking to be considered viable in Dybvad.
Total has spent about half a billion kroner on its shale gas projects in Denmark, although state-owned Nordsøfonden has forked out 20 percent of that.
“Denmark has been an inspiration for the rest of the world for many years in terms of the green transition, but the government has unfortunately stained our green leader shirt with black spots,” said Haaland.
“Now a majority of Parliament must get moving and lay down a clear no to shale gas. It would be an important and necessary signal to the rest of the world that Denmark will continue to lead the way by phasing out the oil and shale gas that can lead to catastrophic climate changes for future generations.”
