UK fracking may produce less fuel than claimed, says geologist

Prof John Underhill argues that geology is fundamental but has been forgotten in assessments of UK's shale gas capability

Fracking for oil and gas in the UK may produce much less fuel - and profits - than has been mooted, according to research based on seismic imaging of the country's underlying geology.

Most of the areas in which deposits of onshore "unconventional" gas and oil are likely to be found were affected by tectonic activity along the Atlantic plate about 55m years ago.