A TOTAL ban on fracking was a step closer last night after experts warned it would punch a hole in climate targets.
New research for the SNP Government also suggests the industry might not even be economically worthwhile if oil and gas prices stay historically low.
And an NHS report on public health raised concerns of potential hazards to workers and people living near drilling sites.
In total, six reports were published yesterday as Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse ordered a public consultation over the controversial mining technology.
Opponents said the lukewarm research findings and tough environmental challenges mean fracking is “doomed”.
Fracking is a form of unconvential oil and gas extraction which forces liquid into fissures at high pressure. It led to environmental and health concerns, but supporters say it will bring jobs and industry to Scotland.
Two firms, Ineos and IGas, hold licences across central Scotland, west Fife and Caithness.
The SNP imposed a temporary ban while they waited for yesterday’s research.
Wheelhouse would not confirm whether a ban is now inevitable.
But he said fracking would affect the central belt, one of the most densely populated parts of the country.
“Those communities would be directly affected by any unconventional oil and gas development, and must be given genuine opportunities to explore and discuss the evidence in depth and at length,” he said.
A study of the economic prospects, by professional services firm KPMG, said the industry could be worth as much as £4.6billion to Scotland by 2062.
They based their main scenario on the mid-range estimate of £1.2billion, which is around £30million a year.
The report estimates a mid-range 1400 new jobs at the industry’s peak.
The industry would only make 0.3 per cent of Scottish gross domestic product in the best-case scenario.
KPMG concluded an economically viable fracking industry would be “unlikely” if oil and gas prices stay low.
A separate 92-page report by climate change advisers warned fracking on a significant scale “is not compatible” with Scottish climate targets - unless three tough tests are met.
Wells would have to be “strictly limited”, while oil and gas would need to displace imports rather than boost consumption.
Emissions would need to be offset elsewhere in the economy, putting further restrictions on existing energy use.
An NHS report said there is “sufficient” evidence that airborne and waterborne environmental hazards would be released.
It also raised concern about health of workers and nearby residents, but said the evidence is “limited”.
Green MSP Mark Ruskell said: “We’ve learned the hard way from open cast coal mines that the fossil fuel industry leaves communities devastated and the public has to pick up the bill.
“The Scottish Government was elected on a manifesto that promised to ban fracking unless it could be proved beyond any doubt that there was no risk to health, communities or the environment.
"On the basis of what’s been published today, it seems clear that fracking is doomed.”
Lang Banks, of environment group WWF Scotland, said: “Looking at the three tests posed by the Government’s own independent climate watchdog, it’s very hard to see how Scotland could go ahead with fracking without breaching its carbon targets.”
Labour environment spokeswoman Claudia Beamish, who has already lodged a Bill in Holyrood to ban fracking, claimed the SNP have only kicked the issue into the long grass.
She said: “People in populated parts of central Scotland will rightly wonder why the Nationalists are dragging their heels on a decision.
“The climate science is clear - we do not need another fossil fuel when we need to be transitioning to clean energy.”
Scottish Tory energy spokesman Alexander Burnett said the SNP have missed an opportunity.
He said: “Instead, we have more dithering and delay and a failure to recognise an opportunity to boost the economy and create jobs at a time when the North Sea oil and gas industry is in decline.”