Romania will not exploit shale gas in the next five years, but it is important that the country manages to secure energy independence, as well as for the Republic of Moldova, via domestic production, and by respecting environmental standards, said Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta.

“For the time being and in the next five years, Romania will not exploit a single cubic meter of shale gas. Secondly, looking at the European map, all our neighbors already issued shale gas exploration authorizations, except for Bulgaria, where the decision was probably more political than technical,” the PM explained.

In the next five years, Romania has to shape up it environment legislation, so that all guarantees are taken if in five years there will be shale gas exploitation. The PM noted the country's dependence to Russia and to Gazprom on the gas front.

His statements came as the shale gas exploitation by Chevron in some region of Romania has been opposed since starting last fall. The company managed to build its first exploration well, and is currently searching for shale gas in North East Romania.

editor@romania-insider.com