Ascent Appeals Slovenian EIA Requirement

London-listed Ascent Resources said on July 16 it had appealed against a decision by Slovenian authorities that an environmental impact assessment (EIA) is needed for well work at the Petisovci gas project.

The Slovenian environmental agency (Arso) ruled earlier that the assessment would be required for well stimulation at existing boreholes Pg-10 and Pg-11A at the site in northeast Slovenia. Ascent and its Slovenian partner Geoenergo contested the decision but this appeal was rejected by Slovenia’s environment ministry on June 14. The pair have now filed a second appeal at an administrative court.

“The decision of Arso and the environment ministry ignores the opinion of the six independent expert bodies whose advice Arso sought,” Ascent said in a stock exchange filing. “In breach of EU law, the decision also mistakenly concluded that the project fell within a conservation area and misapplied EU case law in relation to mitigation measures.”

The company said it was preparing legal claims against Slovenia for breaching EU law that would be lodged in domestic and international courts.

Petisovci is estimated to hold 12.9bn m³ of gas in verified P50 contingent resources. Ascent has a 75% stake in the exploration project, while Geoenergo has 25%.