- The U.K. has suddenly ordered a total freeze on fracking operations, citing public safety after a series of tremors.
- It signals a major shift in policy for Boris Johnson's conservative government, which previously supported the fracking industry as a way to cut Britain's reliance on foreign energy imports.
- Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom told BBC radio that the moratorium will stay in place for the foreseeable future, or until scientists say fracking can be done safely.
- Related: BP (NYSE:BP), Royal Dutch Shell (RDS.A, RDS.B), EnQuest (OTCPK:ENQUF), Hardy Oil & Gas (OTC:HROLF)