Propunerile UE privind gazele de sist – „un pas inainte”EU shale gas proposals a ‘step forward’

Miercuri, 22 ianuarie, Comisia Europeana a decis sa nu propuna noi reglementari privind siguranta exploatarii gazelor de sist prin fracturare hidraulica si impactul acesteia asupra mediului. Comisia a emis doar un set de recomandari, a caror aplicare este lasata la latitudinea statelor membre.

Decizia constituie o veste buna pentru companiile implicate in proiecte in domeniul respectiv, potrivit unui comunicat al unor reprezentanti ai acestora.

Shale Gas Europe (SGE) este o platforma gestionata de FTI Consulting pentru toti actorii implicati in explorarea si exploatarea gazelor de sist, a gazelor din formatiuni compacte si a metanului din straturile de carbune. Obiectivul sau este promovarea dialogului si furnizarea de informatii direct de la surse pentru cetateni, decidentii politici si mass media privind toate subiectele importante legate de exploatarea gazelor de sist in Europa. SGE este sustinuta de Chevron, Cuadrilla Resources, Halliburton, Shell, Statoil si Total Gas Shale Europe.

Shale Gas Europe (SGE) saluta publicarea de catre Comisia Europeana a comunicatului si recomandarii privind explorarea si exploatarea gazelor de sist in Uniunea Europeana, cu pastrarea de catre statele membre a dreptului de a decide asupra modalitatilor optime de implementare pe pietele proprii a liniilor directoare trasate.

Marcus Pepperell, purtator de cuvant al SGE, a declarat: „anuntul de astazi este rezultatul unei evaluari aprofundate si a unor consultari publice largi timp de peste un an, cu implicarea multor participanti, printre care s-au numarat guverne, reprezentanti ai industriei energetice, organizatii neguvernamentale si de mediu, experti in domenii stiintifice, comunitatea de afaceri si publicul larg. Comisia Europeana a considerat oportun sa stabileasca un echilibru intre obiectivele UE privind un mix energetic durabil, cu costuri rezonabile si sigur. Cu toate acestea, ramane de vazut cum vor fi aplicate pe viitor aceste linii directoare”.

SGE accepta fara rezerve si sprijina nevoia de asigura exploatarea oricaror rezerve cu respectarea mediului si responsabilitate sociala. Cu toate acestea, decizia Comisiei Europene de a emite o comunicare-recomandare si nu masuri legislative constituie o recunoastere a faptului ca acest domeniu este deja puternic reglementat. Multe din liniile directoare din recomandare reflecta bunele practici deja aplicate in industrie, inclusiv implicarea comunitatilor locale si publicarea informatiilor privind operatiunile.
Costul rezonabil al energiei reprezinta o problema critica pentru Europa si este vital pentru restabilirea competitivitatii europene. Comisa recunoaste totodata ca resursele interne de gaze conventionale, care in prezent acopera 25% din consumul de energie, sunt in scadere. Acest fapt implica dependenta UE de importurile de gaze naturale din afara Uniunii. Productia interna de gaze de sist ar putea deci suplini scaderea productiei din zacaminte conventionale, reducand dependenta de importuri, sporind securitatea resurselor si punand presiune pe preturi, in sensul scaderii acestora. De asemenea, ar putea veni in sprijinul obiectivelor UE de trecere la o economie cu emisii scazute de CO2 si ar putea promova in Europa resurse mai ieftine si exploatate mai eficient.

„Suntem incurajati de recunoasterea de catre CE a potentialului gazelor de sist de a deplasa tendinta dinspre combustibilii fosili cu emisii mai mari de CO2, oferind o resursa interna sigura de energie si o posibila sursa de venituri publice”, a declarat Pepperell.
In concluzie, a spus el, „dispunem acum de un cadru european larg sustinut de Comisie care permite firmelor din domeniul energetic, investitorilor, decidentilor politici si autoritatilor de reglementare sa planifice viitorul in spiritul responsabilitatii fata de mediu. Trebuie sa ne continuam eforturile comune de a construi increderea si acceptarea de catre public, sprijinind un proces eficient si transparent de reglementare si aplicare. Cu toate acestea, la orice preocupari ale publicului trebuie oferite raspunsuri din partea unor profesionisti calificati din intregul sector energetic, baza pe fapte reale si nu pe presupuneri tendentioase si speculative, in afara contextului”.The European Commission has decided on Wednesday, January 22 not to propose further regulations on on environmental damage and safety during the extraction of shale gas by fracking. It issued instead a series of recommendations, leaving the decisions on their application to the member states.

The decision has been welcomed by representatives of this industry, according to a press release.

Shale Gas Europe (SGE) is a platform managed by FTI Consulting for all actors involved in the exploration and development of shale gas, tight gas and coalbed methane. It aims to promote a dialogue and provide first-hand, up-to-date information to citizens, policy-makers and the media on all the key issues surrounding the development of shale gas in Europe. SGE is supported by Chevron, Cuadrilla Resources, Halliburton, Shell, Statoil, and Total Gas Shale Europe.

Shale Gas Europe (SGE) has welcomed today’s publication of the European Commission’s Communication and Recommendation on the exploration and production of shale gas in the European Union (EU) with Member States retaining the right to decide how best to implement a highlighted set of guidelines within their respective markets.

Marcus Pepperell, spokesperson for Shale Gas Europe said: “today’s announcement follows a thorough assessment and over a year of extensive public consultation involving a diverse range of participants including national governments, the energy industry, NGOs and environmental organisations, scientific experts, the business community as well as the general public. The European Commission has sought to strike a balance between Europe’s objectives of an environmentally sustainable, affordable and secure energy mix. However we will need to see how these guidelines are subsequently applied.”

Shale Gas Europe fully recognises and supports the need to ensure that the development of any reserves is undertaken in an environmentally and socially responsible way. However the European Commission’s decision to issue a Communication and Recommendation, rather than legislative measures, recognises that the industry is already heavily regulated. Many of the guidelines included in the Recommendation reflect established industry good practice including community engagement and dissemination of information relating to operations.
Energy affordability is a critical issue for Europe and essential to restoring European competitiveness. The Commission also acknowledges that domestic conventional gas supplies, which currently make up 25% of its energy consumption, are in decline. This is driving the EU’s import dependency on natural gas from abroad. Domestically produced shale gas could therefore potentially replace declining output from Europe’s conventional fields, reduce dependence on imports, improve security of supply and put downward pressure on prices. It could also complement the EU’s objectives of moving towards a low carbon economy and promote a more affordable, resource efficient Europe.

“We are encouraged that the Commission recognises that shale gas has the potential to bridge the move away from more carbon intensive fossil fuels, delivering a secure source of domestic energy, as well as a possible source of public revenue”, said Mr Pepperell.
He concluded: “We now have a broad European outline endorsed by the Commission that enables energy companies, investors, policy makers and regulators to plan for the future in an environmentally responsible way. Together we must all continue to work hard to build the public’s trust and acceptance, supporting an effective and transparent regulatory and enforcement process. However any concerns the public may have should be addressed by qualified professionals working across the energy sector drawing on established facts rather than misleading and speculative assumptions that lack any context.”