A controversial means of extracting shale gas from the ground is unlikely to take place in Fife in the near future.
Dart Energy, the company which holds the licence for “fracking” within the region, says that no drilling is planned for now, following disappointing results from two test drills.
It comes as the Australian firm agreed to meet members of community councils throughout the region to answer any questions about its activities.
Groups had been approached by Friends of the Earth Scotland, who had raised concerns about fracking hin Scotland, and also wished to meet with community representatives.
A spokesman for Dart Energy said: “Dart Energy has previously drilled two coal bed methane appraisal wells on its licences in Fife, however the results were disappointing.
“With regard to potential drilling activities in Fife, nothing is currently planned and is unlikely in the foreseeable future.
“Prompted by the contact from Friends of the Earth Scotland (FoES), a community council in Fife has asked Dart Energy to speak on the issues raised by FoES, which the company is happy to do. A meeting date has not yet been set.”
Fracking, or “hydraulic fracturing”, is the process of recovering gas and oil from shale rock, deep under the ground. High-pressure water is directed at the rock, releasing the gas inside.
The process hit the headlines earlier this year after protesters established a camp at Balcombe in West Sussex, claiming that the process can cause earth tremors and contaminate groundwater.
Supporters however, claim that fracking is a safe way of making Britain self-sufficient in the energy market.
Peter Scobie, the chairman of Pitteuchar, Stenton and Finglassie Community Council in Glenrothes, says he is keen to hear both sides of the debate.
“The Scottish Government and Fife Council have not got a say it’s up to Westminster, which I feel is wrong.
“But we need to know all of the facts. We are asking for a meeting in November and we want to hear both sides of the story.”