Park Place Energy Not Seeking to Explore for Shale in Bulgaria

Park Place Energy has said that it is not seeking to explore for shale gas in Bulgaria and is instead seeking conventional gas and coal-bed methane in the Dobrich basin area of that country.

The company said it was motivated to provide a press release explaining its work programme in the country to avoid any potential confusion or misinterpretation surrounding its activities.

It stressed that it is exploring for conventional natural gas sandstones of the basin and coal bed methane in the coals of the region. The region has previously shown potential for numerous gas bearing coal bed and sandstone formations, the company says, with five wells planned to explore the potential of these resources.

Shale gas remains a contentious resource in Bulgaria with public perception and governmental issues surrounding its exploration. Exploration for the resource is currently under a moratorium in Bulgaria, with the government earlier this year cancelling a shale gas exploration permit previously granted to Chevron. 

However, Park Place Energy will not be affected by this moratorium should it retain its licence for the Dobrich basin. Currently, an appeal is before the Bulgarian Supreme Administrative Court from a competitor of Park's, which is appealing the granting of the Vranino 1-11 block licence to Park Place.

Park Place expects the court to find its favour, with a decision expected for next month. Exploration can commence once the appeal has been dealt with.