Shale Environmental Regulator Group (SERG)

The SERG is currently inactive due to the moratorium on shale gas development.

When active, the aims of this group are to:

  • coordinate the regulation of shale gas across its members, the regulatory bodies

    • Environment Agency
    • Health and Safety Executive
    • Oil and Gas Authority

  • provide a single point of contact to operators

The SERG Planning Authority Liaison also aims to build relationships with Mineral Planning Authorities to help them understand and have confidence in the role and decisions of regulators.

On 4 November 2019 in a Written Ministerial Statement, the government updated its policy on hydraulic fracturing for the extraction of shale gas.

On the basis of the current scientific evidence, government confirmed that it will take a presumption against issuing any further hydraulic fracturing consents. This position, an effective moratorium, will be maintained unless compelling new evidence is provided which addresses the concerns around the prediction and management of induced seismicity.

More information about SERG

For more information on the virtual Shale Environmental Regulator Group, please visit the regulatory body sites:

Contact details

SERG@environment-agency.gov.uk