Lawmakers in France's lower house of Parliament gave preliminary backing on Jan. 25 for a total ban on shale gas exploration and extraction.
However, it is not certain that the ban will go to the Senate and return to the lower house for a final vote before parliamentary work is suspended in February so lawmakers can campaign for a legislative election in June.
The conservatives, which have a majority in the Senate but not the lower house, are opposed to the ban, which would come on top of an ban on fracking in place since 2011.
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US Oil Drillers Cut Rigs For Fifth Consecutive Week
Drillers cut nine oil rigs in the week to March 22, bringing the total count down to 824, the lowest since April 2018, Baker Hughes, a GE company (NYSE: BHGE), said in its weekly report.
Anadarko Plans To Seek Charters For Tankers For Mozambique LNG Project
The independent U.S. energy producer aims to take a final investment decision on the $20 billion project in the coming months, having signed up long-term buyers for its LNG.
Chart: Eastern Rig Count As Of March 22, 2019
Alabama. Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia