French minister mulls over shale import ban

Houston

FRANCE'S energy minister is considering closing the door to US shale gas just as American LNG exports to Europe and other ports ramp up.

Energy and Environment Minister Segolene Royal said on Tuesday in comments to France's parliament that she will "examine from a legal standpoint" ways to ban imports of shale gas. France barred fracking in 2011 because of environmental risks. Houston-based Cheniere Energy Inc has contracts to deliver liquefied natural gas to Engie SA, Electricite de France SA and Total SA.