Spain Passes Law to Streamline Shale Gas Permitting

The Spanish Parliament published a new law December 5th changing the environmental requirements for industrial projects. The new measure could speed up approvals for shale exploration. 

Operators expect the permitting process to be streamlined. The water-poor country also eased the limitations for hydraulic fracturing. 

Despite attempts by the central government, potential uncertainties derive from eventual disagreements between Madrid and autonomous communities.

As suggested by Natural Gas Europe in a recent story, it remains to be defined whether the legal authority to determine shale gas regulation rests with central or regional governments.

Spain imports about 99% of its hydrocarbons and 76% of all the consumed energy.