Speaking at a meeting with Richard Morningstar, the special envoy of the United States secretary of state for Eurasian energy, Basescu said Romanian authorities have been holding talks on shale gas exploitation, adding that a strategy to explain there is no major risk regarding gas exploitation must be developed.
US Ambassador to Bucharest Mark Gitenstein Thursday said he will discuss with Romanian Economy Minister Daniel Chitoiu on the government’s intention to impose a moratorium on shale gas exploitation.
Speaking in a televised interview, Gitenstein said he wishes to know the rationale behind the moratorium and the government’s plans regarding shale gas exploration. A prolonged suspension of shale gas drilling in Romania could endanger the government’s contract with US oil and gas company Chevron, Gitenstein added.
Romania’s new government said recently it plans to impose a moratorium on shale gas exploitation until European Union-commissioned studies to assess possible environmental damage of hydraulic fracturing are finalized.
In March, Romania approved a series gas exploration deals signed with Chevron, which allow the latter to drill for shale gas at three blocks in the Black Sea.
Chevron’s plans to drill for shale gas have sparked protests from environmentalists worried about possible side effects of hydraulic fracturing.