Shale Gas Exploitation in Romania can be Postponed at Least Another Two Years

Romania's Minister of Environment and Forests has said that shale gas exploitation is evidence of irresponsibility to the natural reserves of Romania.

In an interview with Agerpres, Rovana Plumb was critical of past governments for their pro-shale gas position.

Shale gas exploitation in Romania has been on hold since May, when the new government led by Prime Minister Ponta introduced a moratorium on development. The moratorium, part of the program of the center – left Cabinet, proposed:

"immediate establishment of a moratorium on shale gas operation to complete studies that are ongoing at European level on the environmental impacts of hydraulic fractionation process."

Moratorium on the exploitation of shale gas extraction means the cessation of any activity or licensing of shale gas exploitation, the controversial process of hydraulic fracturing.

The greatest impact was on the activities of Chevron Corp., which holds four exploration and exploitation licenses, though there several companies with valid licenses for exploration for shale gas.

Minister Plumb declared Romania will not approve this type of exploitation, unless merited by the results of the scientific studies on environmental, health and social impacts of hydraulic fracturing at the European level.

The Minister's comments are worrying for supporters of shale gas development, who are hoping for unconventional gas exploration to assist in Romania's economic recovery.

The European Commission has started on environmental impact assessment studies on health and social impact, however they are are not expected to be completed by the end of the initial moratorium period. 

In this context, it is likely that Romania will extend the moratorium by at least two years, to 2014.

Text: Silviu Molnar

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