UK oil “bonanza” could be difficult to extract, geological expert says

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. You can change your cookie settings at any time. Otherwise, we'll assume you're OK to continue. UK oil "bonanza” could be difficult to extract, geological expert says Reports that the UK is set for an oil bonanza following publication of a report looking at the potential for reserves under the South of England need to be tempered because it might be difficult to extract from the ground, a geological expert has said. Andrew Aplin, Professor of Unconventional Petroleum in the Department of Earth Sciences, Durham University, was commenting on today's British Geological Survey (BGS)/Department of Energy & Climate Change report into the potential for oil extraction from the Weald area spanning Sussex, Hampshire, Kent and Surrey. Professor Aplin said: "The interesting question is how much of the oil that has been identified might be recoverable. "A careful look at the data in the report suggests that much of the oil in the shales is tightly bound to the rock and therefore difficult or impossible to produce.