Romania gives go ahead for shale gas exploration

Romania’s government has begun steps to begin shale gas exploration in the south- eastern parts of the country, according to the Jurnalul news website.

The Romanian environment and climate change minister Rovana Plumb has given the green light to foreign companies, including the US energy company Chevron, to begin exploration in the Dobrogea region.

Plumb said exploitation of shale gas reserves would be a vital part of Romania’s plans for energy security. “The exploration phase does not represent a risk to the environment, because there is no use of hydraulic fracturing technology," she added.