While shale gas is seen by many as an
important source of energy, the
process of extraction – hydraulic
fracturing – has come under scrutiny.

Recently, Lichfield-based
Cuadrilla Resources
announced significant
shale gas resources in
Lancashire. If extracted on
a commercial scale,
domestically produced
natural gas could increase
the UK’s energy security.

Cuadrilla’s commissioned
GasClam to monitor background gas
concentrations, with the device left in
the ground to measure, record and
transmit concentrations during
operations.This data will be made
available to the public and included
on Cuadrilla’s website.

GasClam was developed by
Salamander, a University of
Manchester spin out
company; Dr Pete Morris of
Ion Science, global distributor
of the technology, says: “We
have received huge
international interest for the
GasClam to demonstrate shale
gas can be, and is, extracted safely.”