In 2012 Bulgaria imposed a ban on the survey and extraction of shale gas with the usage of the hydro fracking method across the country. The ban will be a constant one, the MPs from the 41^st National Assembly decided back then.

“Fracking is not an end in itself. This is one of the segments that close the entire process. I don’t know what this accentuating on fracking is all about, as there are much more essential activities. This is only the partwith the drillings’ absorption before their commissioning. This sounds pretty pompous and attractive and due to the lack of knowledge, regarding the matter and processes, it was easier the accent to be put on the fracking process,” said Vasko Nachev, expert in the area of survey and extraction of petrol and natural gas during a roundtable, organized by Radio Bulgaria.

“It is not just my opinion nor a political one – it is the opinion of the Bulgarian scientists – the current method for survey and extraction of shale gas cannot be safe from the environmental point of view. The moratorium will be in force until we have that statement of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, doubted in not only in Bulgaria,” said socialist MP Tasko Ermenkov, member of the Energy Committee.

“Fracking is a short process, lasting between several hours and 1 – 2 days and implemented at the drilling’s absorption before its commissioning. Then the drilling turns normal, the way it is with the conventional gas extraction. There is no difference between these two kinds,” Vasko Nachev points out.

“The only question that stands in view of the shale gas faces as a technological process is its ratability and price”, states Mr. Martin Vladimirov from the Center for the Study of Democracy. “The reason: the lack of infrastructure needed, also the complicated procedures at the lease of land to companies within shale gas extraction. This process gets pricy and the final price of shale gas will be higher than the gas, imported by Gasprom. However, we should take into consideration that expenses go down with time and with the development of the industrial process. If we kick off the process now, there is a chance for a much different situation 50 years from now. This gas might get much cheaper and we might even start to export. According to geological surveys of the US Energy Information Agency we have a potential of nearly half a trillion of cubic meters of shale gas. That would provide our energy independence up to 2100.”

“Two weeks ago the European Medical Association issued an official report of the negative effect on human health that shale gas extraction has,” said another participant in the discussion - Georgi Stefanov, from the Zelenite /Greens/ party. "Many scientists not only from BAS have confirmed the environmental risks, along

“I was a member of the Energy, Economy and Tourism Committee when the moratorium was adopted,” said GERB MP Valentin Nikolov, a deputy chair of the current parliamentary committee on energy. “There were plenty of mistakes due to the rush. The moratorium is a temporary ban, until the legislative solving of the issue. GERB won’t remove it until enough evidence is found for the risk management part within the sector. We are looking for an option to find a suitable technology that will be explained to the society, reducing the price for energy sources, opening new jobs and meaning independence,” MP Valentin Nikolov said in conclusion.

English version: Zhivko Stanchev