US-based oil major Chevron said Thursday it had suspended shale gas explorations in one of its sites in Eastern Romania, after local protests erupted earlier this week over shale gas developments.
The company added it had secured all permitting to start seeking shale gas in the village of Silistea in the Pungesti locality.
“Our priority is to carry out these activities in a save and responsible manner regarding the environment, in compliance with the environmental agreements based on which we currently operate,” said the company in a statement.
The oil major said it would use conventional technologies to search shale gas in this area.
Meanwhile, local councilors in Pungesti unanimously voted on Tuesday to ban the exploration and exploitation of shale gas within the locality. They also approved the organization of a referendum on shale.
On Wednesday night, people took to the streets in Bucharest in support of shale gas protestors in Vaslui County. Protests continued on Thursday in Pungesti.
Ovidiu Posirca