France Becomes First Country to Ban Hydraulic Fracturing for Shale Gas, Oil

PARIS—The French Parliament adopted legislation June 30 that bans the hydraulic fracturing method for exploration and extraction of shale natural gas and oil, making the country the world’s first to ban the technique.

No one has authorization to mine shale hydrocarbons in France, but after two companies obtained exploratory permits last year, their plans to begin work set off an uproar over potential environmental damage.

The Law Aimed at Banning the Exploration and Exploitation of Hydrocarbon Mines by Hydraulic Fracturing prevents companies from using the so-called fracking technique, but it leaves open the possibility of using other unconventional techniques. It ...