In March, Romania approved a series of gas exploration deals signed with U.S. oil and gas company Chevron, which allow the latter to drill for shale gas at three blocks in the Black Sea.
Romania’s new government, which took office at the beginning of May, imposed a moratorium on shale gas exploitation until European Union-commissioned studies to assess possible environmental damage of hydraulic fracturing are finalized.
According to the press release, the moratorium will be lifted once the results of the studies are made public and if they show shale gas exploitation poses no environmental risk.
Chevron’s plans to drill for shale gas have sparked protests from environmentalists worried about possible side effects of hydraulic fracturing.
Romanian President Traian Basescu said Friday Romania must develop a strategy to explain to the public that shale gas exploitation does not pose major risks.
Shale gas exploitation is banned in Bulgaria and France.