Bulgarian Energy Experts Assert Safety of Shale Gas Drilling

A functioning shale gas facility in Bulgaria. Photo by Direct Petroleum

Bulgaria, represented by the state-owned Bulgarian Energy Holding and Bulgargaz, must step up its participation in shale gas exploration and production, according to a host of local energy experts.

Speaking at a press conference, Hristo Kazandzhiev, Iliyan Vasilev, Ivan Hinovski, Dimitar Ivanov and Prof. Vasil Balinov have agreed that shale gas production does not pose greater environmental risks than the production of conventional energy and mineral resources.

Bulgarian and global environmentalists, however, have opposed such claims, asserting that shale gas exploration and production causes substantial environmental damage.

Chevron has secured a five-year permit from the Bulgarian government for the exploration of shale gas deposits in northeastern Bulgaria.

Shale gas reserves have been estimated in all European countries except Bulgaria, Romania and partly Hungary, Kazandzhiev says, adding that the launch of production activities there is only a matter of time.

Poland is to start producing shale gas in 2012, while the U.S. has a year-long tradition in the sector.

Kazandzhiev insists that Bulgaria must occupy its place on Europe's shale gas map 

The energy expert believes that shale gas production can reduce the cost of natural gas in Bulgaria by 8-25%.

Although shale gas extraction is costlier than natural gas extraction, Kazandzhiev remarks, the price of the "blue fuel" is expected to plummet as a result of the increased competition on the natural gas market.

According to Prof. Balinov, there can be no talk of concrete volumes before the completion of the studies.

He sides with the opinion that shale gas exploration will not endanger the environment and will be very useful for the country.

Iliyan Vasilev thinks that Bulgaria is still not active enough and must be a partner of Chevron and all other companies willing to research the country's mineral resources.

With state participation, Vasilev points out, shale gas produced at the designated block could reach Bulgarian consumers at a much lower price, compared to the price of shale gas extracted by a foreign concessionaire.

According to Hristo Kazandzhiev, allegations that shale gas production is harmful are publicized by Gazprom, who sees a rival for Russian natural as.

He rejects claims that the activity can result in water contamination, earthquakes or destruction of agricultural land.

The experts have said that shale gas reserves are to be studied for up to 5 years, after which production may start.

Bulgarian socialists have insisted that the country should hold local referendums in Dobrudzha on shale gas exploration and production, cautioning that the lobbying of US Ambassador James Warlick may have dangerous consequences.

According socialist MP Antoni Kutev, the advent of companies like Chevron into Bulgaria will trick the local political elite into making objectionable decisions.

Kutev claims that shale gas extraction in Bulgaria is unprofitable from a technological point of view and will also do damage to the environment.

In his words, some regions in the US have banned shale gas production near populated areas.

Georgi Bozhinov, another left-wing MP, has demanded a moratorium on shale gas exploration.

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