site.btaEnvironment Ministry Elaborates Decision on Oil and Gas Development in Dobroudja

Environment Ministry Elaborates Decision on Oil and Gas Development in Dobroudja


Sofia, September 9 (BTA) - The Environment and Water Ministry
said on Tuesday it has elaborated its earlier decision about a
project for oil and natural gas prospecting and extraction in
Northeastern Bulgaria.

The modified decision expressly says that the prospecting
company, Texas-based Park Place Energy Corp., should not use
unlawful or unconventional methods for oil and natural gas
prospecting and extraction in Block 1-11 Vranino. The block is
located in the geographical region of Dobroudja, popularly known
 as Bulgaria's breadbasket.

The decision further says that the company is required to
provide information about the overall effect which every
activity in the project will have on Block 1-11 Vranino, on
available groundwater and on protected areas.

The ministerial decision was elaborated upon a proposal by the
Greens Party, which met with Environment and Water Minister
Svetlana Zhekova last week. The news comes after continuous
protests in many Bulgarian towns against shale gas and coal gas
development in Dobroudja.

The oil and gas project in Block 1-11 Vranino started back in
2000. A conclusion was reached in 2008 that the land probably
had deposits of natural gas. In 2010 the Council of Ministers
resolved to sign a contract on future prospecting. Several
months ago the Economy and Energy Ministry signed an agreement
allowing Park Place Energy Corp. to keep up the prospecting
work. However, no permit has been issued to the company yet as
there is a coordinating procedure in the  Environment and Water
Ministry. The company is required to  submit a working schedule.

Minister Zhekova confirmed several days ago that no permit has
been awarded to Park Place to extract oil and gas in the block.
She noted that only prospecting is being done there, which is
being strictly monitored for legal compliance. The award of an
extraction permit is a long process and requires an
environmental impact assessment, Zhekova said.

However, the Greens Party has said it will file a court appeal
against Zhekova's decision to coordinate the project with Park
Place. SN/VE

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