After a couple of days of heated exchanges in the Romanian media, which reported on Chevron's upcoming shale gas activities in Romania, the US group issued a statement saying it will only use conventional technology for exploration in Vaslui county this year and that it is not planning any drilling in Constanta county.

For the time being, a standard study is planned, in order to avoid the areas with cultural patrimony, cities and villages and areas of ecological interest. Only after this study and after the exploration period, will Chevron take into account exploitation, which would last for five years.

American company Chevron said it will invest USD 65 million in exploring for shale gas on Romania’s coast, at Vama Veche, Costineşti and Adamclisi. The company still needs clearance from the country’s Environment Ministry. Minister Laszlo Borbely said he will only give the greenlight for the project if it doesn’t pose any risks to the environment.

Romania granted American company Chevron the right to explore and exploit shale gas on three perimeters in Constanta county, at Vama Veche, Adamclisi and Costinesti – all on the coast. Chevron also has concession agreements with Romania in the Barlad area, in the North East of the country.

Chevron, the second largest oil and gas company in the US, has recently had a license for exploring shale gas in neighboring Bulgaria canceled over environmental issues.

Shale gas is natural gas trapped during formation in shale strata. It has become an important source of gas in the US, but environmentalists say it might aggravate global warming, as it emits larger amounts of greenhouse gas methane than conventional gas does. Although using shale gas gives off less methane than coal.

editor@romania-insider.com