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Final report on unconventional gas in Europe / Philippe &#38; Partner. In the framework of the multiple framework service contract for legal assistance TREN/R1/350-2008 lot 1. Brussels, European Commission. Energy DG, 8 November 2011, 104 p.http://ec.europa.eu/energy/studies/doc/2012_unconventional_gas_in_europe.pdfIntroduction : The main purpose of the study is to analyse how the relevant applicable European legal framework, including environmental law, is applied to the licensing/authorisation and operational permitting for prospection, exploration and production/exploitation of shale gas based on a sample of four Member States, i.e. Poland, France, Germany1 and Sweden.2 It is, however, not purpose of the study to assess whether Member State legislation based on EU legislation has been properly transposed. This study focuses on shale gas exploration, because shale gas is the type of unconventional gas most discussed and contentious currently. Also, compared to tight gas and coal bed methane, relatively less experience exists in Europe for shale formations as new source of natural gas. The focus on exploration is due to the stage of projects in Europe. No commercial scale shale gas exploitation has taken place yet and it is only expected in a few years time. Nevertheless, this study also takes into account a possible future production phase and especially analyses legal issues especially related to the transfer from exploration to production stage...