Bulgaria 'Hasn't Changed Stance on Fracking'

Bulgaria has not changed its stance on hydraulic fracturing, the country's Energy Minister has said.

According to agencies, Delyan Dobrev told a conference that a national moratorium on fracking could remain in place 'for years' if the authorities and public wre not convinced of the safety of the extractive process.

"There is no reason why we should not wait for years," Dobrev said, adding that the government would only reconsider its decision once it became fully convinced of the safety of fracking.

He was speaking at a regional gas industry conference, Gas Perspectives, in Sofia.

"It is understandable that law firms representing large consortiums defend the view that it must be lifted but this does not oblige government to take into account their demands," Dobrev said.

The minister also said Bulgaria had two strategic goals re natural gas: to develop local production and to diversify supply sources.

He emphasized that local output was 35% cheaper than imported gas.