Romania's Energy Minister says tenders for new shale gas exploration perimeters to be launched "soonish"

Romania's Energy Minister has said that tenders will soon be launched for shale gas exploration permits in the country. After the recent agreement with US energy firm Chevron to begin exploration, the mineral resources agency is looking to expand exploration via tenders for perimeters. Energy Minister Constantin Nita said that “new perimeters are set to be tendered soonish,” quoted by Reuters, but the minister added that the timing would be decided by the mineral resources agency. At the end of April, Romania gave the green light to several companies to explore for shale gas in the Dobrogea region. “In order to get to exploitation, we need to see if we have this resource and when we have it. And without exploration we cannot find out. Yes, we have given the OK for Dobrogea, because there isn’t any risk […],” said Environment Minister Rovana Plumb at the time. In Romania, Chevron owns rights to exploration and exploitation of gas in Barlad and three areas in Constanta county – Vama Veche, Adamclisi and Costinesti – for which Chevron received concession agreements in March 2012. According to the company, the three onshore blocks cover some 2,700 sq km. The company previously said it was hoping to start exploration this year. Earlier, PM Victor Ponta's comments suggested that the whole of Romania could open to shale gas exploration projects and the Energy Minister's statements appear to confirm the PM's remarks. editor@romania-insider.com