Expert: Shale Gas Needs to be Part of Romania's Energy Strategy

With the backdrop of recent protests direct ed at Chevron Corp. and its plans for shale gas development in Romania, the Atlantic Council and the Romanian National Committee of the World Energy Council organized European Unconventional Gas Developments: The Science, Technology and Best Practices.  

The gathering drew experts and numerous decision makers from governmental institutions and legislative bodies.  Rovana Plumb, Minister of Environment and Climate Change; Iulian Iancu, president of the Committee for Industry and Services from the Lower Chamber; Constantin Nita, delegated Minister for Energy; and Gheorghe Dutu, president of the National Agency for Mineral Resources, were amongst those who expressed their views on Romania and shale gas development.

Dr. Iulian Fota,  Presidential Advisor, Head of National Security, looked at the shale gas 'problem' in a social context and concluded that shale gas and the exploitation of new deposits in the Black Sea will reduce Romanian energy expenses. Fota mentioned that this is an important component of the energy market, respectively the social one, related to prices. "The Romanians’ expenses with energy must be bearable, even if it is understandable the desire for profit of any investor in this field. The cheap energy aspect is important” he said.

Dr. Fota stated that Romanian citizens do not understand the new concept of unconventional gas exploration and that the matter must be properly explained.

“In the exploration stage for the unconventional gas we must have faith, to wait and, if the results are positive, this will lead to a growth potential in Romania from an energy point of view. Unconventional gas is a novelty and the citizens do not grasp these aspects. For this we must objectively explain what it is about. No technology is without costs or risks, but if risks are we must reduce them. I believe it is important to know that the energy in our area has a special meaning."

"A country that, from importer could become a potential exporter may change certain strategic aspects in the area. We are not talking about a company or other or about the interest of a TV station or other but about our prosperity as a country, prosperity that cannot be high enough without a contribution of the energy sector. We are read and we are talking with partners from Europe that exploit this type of energy. I believe that, in the end, if we have all the arguments on the table, including the economic ones, we can decide. It is up to us to play correctly the energy card or not” concluded Fota.

Commenting exclusively for Natural Gas Europe, Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta, said “Romania follows with attention and interest the European developments with respect to shale gas and we will approve the initiation of exploitations immediately after the Romanian state receives all guarantees regarding environment protection. It is a subject that the government takes very seriously, taking into account all issues involved, including the chance that Romania has by developing such projects. We know of the decision of some member states to allow the exploration on their territory, as well as of the conclusions of studies ordered by the EC and the decisions passed through the European Parliament.

Addressing recents protest, the Romanian Prime Minister stated: "We are seriously following the protest that occur, but it is important for the people to understand that, before beginning exploitation, we must know if Romania has a real potential in this field or not. If this potential exists, it must be developed, obviously after making sure that all environment standards are followed.”

The views of most participants were best summarized by Niculae Napoleon Antonescu, Professor and Honorary Chancellor of the Oil and Gas University from Ploiesti, who stated that exploration and exploitation of shale gas must ocur to allow for Romania to have viable. long-term energy strategy.

 “We cannot speak of an energy strategy for Romania without taking into consideration to harness the unconventional reserves. Exploration and exploitation of unconventional gas in Romania must certainly begin. The exploration may take a few years, from 5 to 6 years. First, we must know how to make a correct exploration and we should be glad that there are partners that wish to invest. The Romanian state has few chances to invest not only in this field but in other fields of the Romanian industry,” Napoleon Antonescu commented, in remarks concluding the conference.

Related Reading: Granting of Exploration Licenses Spurs Romanian Protests

Silviu Molnar