Speculation is mounting that Boris Johnson will allow UK fracking due to an energy crisis sparked by the Ukraine-Russia war.
Downing Street today confirmed the Prime Minister is looking at “all options” when asked if the ban he pledged in 2019 will be lifted.
The Tories’ 2019 manifesto promised: “We will not support fracking unless the science shows categorically that it can be done safely.”
But now ministers are considering handing two wells in Lancashire to the British Geological Survey, instead of plugging them with concrete, the Telegraph reported.
It comes as the Prime Minister draws up a plan for Britain’s short- and long-term energy security as it faces skyrocketing prices and weans off Russian oil by the end of this year.
Today Mr Johnson strongly hinted the plan will include new nuclear power stations - but refused to offer more help to pay families' energy bills.
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Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said "it didn't make any sense" to concrete over shale gas wells, adding "We're still in conversations about that."
He added: "If it can be done in a safe and sustainable way, the Government is open to the idea of fracking. We have always said this, the position has not changed."
And asked about a possible fracking U-turn, the PM’s deputy official spokesman said: “The moratorium on fracking remains in place.
“But as I’ve said and you would expect, the Prime Minister will look at all options given what’s happened in Ukraine, given the rising costs of oil and gas… and clearly he’ll set out an energy supply strategy”.
The spokesman said whether to fill the UK’s only two viable wells with concrete was a matter for the Business Department and Cuadrilla.
But he emphasised: “We need to look at our energy mix going forward both in the short and the long term”.
“Of course we will consider all the possible options”.
Asked if the PM had requested “new science” he replied: “Tests at fracking sites would obviously be a matter for owners and operators, and of course we would look at any scientific evidence as it emerged.
“The moratorium of fracking remains in place but it’s important we look at all options given the ongoing situation in Ukraine.”
Cuadrilla Resources today said it had not been informed of a U-turn yet - but noted reports of one “with interest”.
Chief Executive Francis Egan warned of “the UK's only two viable shale gas wells being filled with concrete in the middle of an energy crisis”.
"Cuadrilla's plans to plug the Lancashire shale wells under Government mandate are very advanced and the rig will still be arriving on site next week,” he added.
Previous Tory governments sparked fury among the grassroots and rural residents after sites were approved in 2011 and 2016.
Opponents fear fracking - in which liquid is pumped deep underground at high pressure to fracture rock and release gas - can cause problems including water contamination, earthquakes and noise and traffic pollution.
Environmentalists also warn that pursuing new sources of gas - a fossil fuel - is not compatible with efforts to tackle climate change.
Environmental campaigners today warned a U-turn on the ban would be a waste of time with "no impact on our energy bills".
Greenpeace UK head of energy Rosie Rogers said: "After a decade of hype and bluster, all the fracking industry has given us are two holes in a muddy field and some minor earthquakes.
"Trying to restart fracking now would only mean wasting more time when we have little. It will take many years to develop and if it ever gets produced, it will be sold to the highest bidder on the international market, with no impact on our energy bills."
Instead, she said the Government should work on an emergency plan to "free our country from gas dependence", adding: "This would protect households from soaring bills, tackle the climate crisis and weaken Putin's hand."
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng dodged questions about fracking as he set out plans to phase out Russian oil imports by the end of the year.
Shadow Energy Secretary Ed Miliband demanded to know whether the ban on fracking would remain in place - but the top Tory avoided the question.
Pressed again by Labour’s Kerry McCarthy, he said: “The Government has always been clear that we will take a precautionary approach and support shale gas exploration if it can be done in a safe and sustainable way. That remains our position.”
