US oil group Chevron has obtained the necessary urban planning certificate to start shale gas exploration in a fourth location in Vaslui County, eastern Romania. The four localities are Bacesti, Pungesti, Gagesti and now Puiesti.
The announcement comes after this July the company secured the environmental permits from local authorities to start exploration in its Vaslui concession. The actual construction of the shale gas exploration rigs can start after the company obtains the building permits.
In addition to the Vaslui concession, Chevron also owns three concessions in the Dobrogea region, close to the Black Sea coast.
Romania will decide on the potential exploitation of shale gas in the 2017 – 2018 period, when the exploration works should end, according to PM Victor Ponta.
Simona Bazavan