The Bulgarian Government has banned exploratory drilling for shale gas using the hydraulic fracturing extraction technique because of concerns over environmental issues.
The move comes after strong public protests against the unconventional procedure. Bulgaria is the second European country after France to ban the hydraulic fracturing method, which is also called ‘fracking’. Those who use the technique to drill for shale gas in Bulgaria and its Black Sea territorial waters will face a $66m fine.
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The French Government imposed a ban on exploration of shale oil and gas through hydraulic fracturing in June 2011; this ban does not rule out other techniques to recover shale gas or oil.
A deep-excavation practice near Blackpool, UK, was also suspended last year after minor tremors.
The fracking method is used by oil and gas companies to release petroleum, natural gas, coal seam gas or other substances locked in rock formations by pumping in water mixed with sand and chemicals.
This method is opposed by environmentalists because it can result in earth tremors and poison underground water.
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By GlobalData
