With a potential for growth in the fledgling shale sector, the British government said Tuesday it was expecting bidders for new onshore oil and gas acreage. “As part of our long-term plan to build a more resilient economy, create jobs and deliver secure energy supplies, we continue to back our onshore oil and gas industry and the safe development of shale gas in the U.K.,” British Energy Minister Nick Bourne said in a statement. More than 100 sites could be available after review of environmental consultation laws. The industry’s regulator, Oil and Gas Authority, said around two dozen of those were formally on the auction block already. The government cautioned that no licenses were issued. Instead, the companies behind the 27 sites released will […]