A BUSINESS development organisation is leading a US mission to learn more about the shale gas industry.

NOF Energy, which operates in the oil, gas, nuclear and offshore renewables sectors, will visit Oklahoma and Louisiana to meet US government departments, shale gas operators and supply chain firms.

The trip, which will take place between Tuesday, January 21 and Friday, January 24, will include NOF Energy executive directors, board directors and representatives from companies including LV Shipping, which has offices in Middlesbrough, Newcastle and Sunderland.

The delegation will receive an overview of the US shale gas industry from the Oklahoma City University Energy Management Faculty and North Louisiana Economic Partnership.

The trip will also include a tour of the Caddo-Bossier Port, in Louisiana, to see the impact of shale gas on port operations.

George Rafferty, NOF Energy chief executive, said: “As interest in shale gas increases, it is vitally important companies with transferable skills, products and services, have a comprehensive understanding of this industry.

“The impact of shale gas on the US economy and its energy industry has been extremely positive, so it is only natural for other countries, such as the UK, to want to exploit their own resources.

“The Government continues to signal its support for the development of a UK shale gas industry, which has been backed up by the recent investment made by Total in the sector.

“Therefore, it is only prudent that the preparation work is done to form a viable, robust and knowledgeable supply chain that is able to meet the requirements of operators.”