Bulgaria, represented by the state-owned Bulgarian Energy Holding and Bulgargaz, must step up its participation in shale gas exploration and production, according to a host of local energy experts.
Speaking at a press conference, Hristo Kazandzhiev, Iliyan Vasilev, Ivan Hinovski, Dimitar Ivanov and Prof. Vasil Balinov have agreed that shale gas production does not pose greater environmental risks than the production of conventional energy and mineral resources.
Bulgarian and global environmentalists, however, have opposed such claims, asserting that shale gas exploration and production causes substantial environmental damage.
Chevron has secured a five-year permit from the Bulgarian government for the exploration of shale gas deposits in northeastern Bulgaria, Reports Novinite.com.