Conceptualizing the Above Ground Factors in Shale Gas. Toward a Research Agenda on Regulatory Governance

Abstract

Above ground factors matter in the extractive industries as much as geology. More to the point, it is policies, regulation and institutional settings that determines the success or failure of a contested, risk bound technology such as fracking. What is more, proven technologies – contested or not – may fail in new regulatory environments even if thriving in their country of origin. This point is underlined by the present struggle of shale gas to 'go global'. In light of this, the proposed article asks: what does the literature have to say on shale gas as a regulatory problem? Exploring this question enhances our understanding of the role of above ground factors in shaping a new industry, and the opportunities and obstacles surrounding technology transfer from one regulatory context to another. This paper first provides for a critical review of the existing literature on shale gas governance in the United States and Europe. It then turns to the literature on policy regimes, regulatory competition, regulatory path dependence and regulatory agencies. The main aim is to sketch key elements forming a research agenda for investigating unconventional gas as a regulatory governance problem.