Relying on Unconventional Gas Development Projects for the Energy Transition: A Review of Recent Energy History and the Contested Role of Unconventional Gas in France

The shale gas revolution occurring in the United States at the beginning of the twenty first century has fueled worldwide interest in unconventional natural gas. The existence of gas trapped in tight pore spaces has been known for decades, but only the recent possibility of implementing advanced production methods and favorable market conditions have made its exploitation economically feasible. The extraction of unconventional gas is already a reality in many countries, but in others, such as France, where the existence of shale gas and coal seam gas has been proven, there are no plans to employ this energy resource in the short term. In such geographical contexts, it has become pressing to understand what role unconventional gas could play in the energy transition. The chapter draws on peer-reviewed articles and statistics to reflect on the contribution of gas in meeting European energy demand. The current French position does not seem to view gas exploitation in a favorable light, let alone unconventional gas. Such a position is questionable, given that France must import all of the gas it uses and, to decrease its dependence on nuclear, it would need to use more gas to generate electricity.