A number of companies have applied for licences to exploit shale gas in Scotland, according to new data.
The investigative journalism website, The Ferret, said a total of nine companies had applied to look at potential shale reserves.
The Scottish Government, which announced a moratorium on fracking in January this year, has yet to decide on whether or not to award the licences.
The Freedom of Information request did not reveal who the companies were or where they have applied to extract shale gas.
The UK government’s Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has been offering exclusive rights to exploit onshore oil and gas resources under its 14 licensing round.
A decision on whether or not licences will be awarded in Scotland has yet to be taken until powers over fracking are devolved to Holyrood under the Scotland Bill.
A total of nine companies have applied for the rights to 19 blocks in Scotland, which each cover 100sq km.
Earlier this year it was revealed oil tycoon Algy Cluff had written to Scottish ministers the day after a moratorium on fracking was confirmed warning that Scotland could risk losing £250million of investment.