Reuters: France's Total (TOTF.PA) on Monday became the first oil and gas major to enter Britain's shale gas market by acquiring a 40 percent interest in two licenses in northern England for up to $48 million.
Total's involvement, which follows shale gas acquisitions by utilities Centrica (CNA.L) and GDF Suez (GSZ.PA), is a major boost to Britain's growing but controversial shale gas industry, seen as one of Europe's strongest prospects for unconventional oil and gas development.
The investment is tiny...