Brussels, 20/03/2013 (Agence Europe) - EU Energy Commissioner Gunther Oettinger has said that Europe should not turn its back on the shale gas option. He considers that shale gas extraction would increase the EU's energy security and reduce its competitive disadvantage with the US. Addressing the European Parliament's energy committee on Tuesday 19 March, he said: “I think the shale gas option isn't one we should reject”. Even though, in the mid-term, Europe will not be able to produce shale gas as cheaply as in the US, where it is four times cheaper and where it gives energy-intensive industries a strong competitive advantage, it should, however, be able to ensure that the price difference is not too great, said the commissioner. He underlined, too, that “the option of shale gas is making the Russians nervous” and said that its extraction would be a key element in reducing the EU's dependency on gas imports from Russia. (EH/transl.fl)