Parts of central Scotland could be targeted for oil and gas exploration.
Licences for controversial shale gas extraction operations, known as “fracking”, have already been granted for Strathearn and Kinross-shire. A current round of potential licences also identifies areas covering a large part of central Scotland.
Concerns have been raised by local councillors, as the practice has been linked to earth tremors in Lancashire. Councillor Willie Robertson, who represents the Kinross ward, called for more information on fracking.
He said: “Shale gas is controversial there is going to be an application at some point. We really need formal guidance on how to deal with such applications.”
Several local members have already received a map of potential sites, which showed that licences were granted in 2008.
Perth and Kinross Council has revealed that it is keen to seek more guidance to ensure that fracking can be exploited with minimal impact on communities and the wider environment.
Director of the environment, Jim Valentine, admitted that as a local authority Perth and Kinross was “just getting our heads round it”.
“It’s an emerging industry and is something we need to keep ahead of,” he added.
“There are really robust regulatory guidelines for areas such as fracking. The form which that takes is about protecting the environment, as well as tapping into resources.
“Members should have the confidence that there is sufficient guidance there to ensure we are protected.”
Despite the concerns of environmental groups, there is a belief that fracking could massively decrease the UK’s reliance on foreign energy and drive down energy prices.
Scots firms are already providing the expertise, technology and machinery to drive the US boom and firms in the oil and gas industry in Aberdeen may also be able to diversify into new fields.
The exact distribution of shale gas reserves within Scotland remains uncertain but the British Geological Survey has described the gas as “abundant”.