BRUSSELS (Sputnik) – Speaking at the opening session of the EU Energy Security Conference, Sefcovic cited Europe’s geological conditions, population density and public environmental concerns as the main obstacles preventing widespread shale gas exploration.
"I think that we have seen over the last years that, simply, geological conditions in Europe are different, that we are more densely populated than in the States and our citizens are much more environmentally conscious also because the potential sites could be much closer to densely populated areas," Sevcovic said.
"I personally – maybe I will be mistaken in the future, but do not expect such a boom as we have in the States because of our geological conditions and also because of the size of Europe and the size of the United States."
In January 2014, the European Commission outlined recommendations for EU member states to ensure that shale gas production is carried out in accordance with appropriate climate and environmental safeguards. The recommendations envisaged that a site for drilling could only be selected after ensuring that there would be no possibility for leaks of pollutants into groundwater, soil or air.
