Visions of Energy Futures: Imagining and Innovating Low-Carbon Transitions by Benjamin K Sovacool

Author:Benjamin K Sovacool [Sovacool, Benjamin K]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Technology & Engineering, Public Policy, Science, Energy, Political Science, Power Resources, Environmental Policy, General
ISBN: 9780367112004
Google: BvSKDwAAQBAJ
Goodreads: 42069306
Publisher: Routledge
Published: 2019-03-01T00:00:00+00:00

Romania: “economic opportunity,” “environmental bane” and frame segregation

As the country covers most of its gas consumption through domestic production, shale gas does not play as vital a role in energy security. Romania thus offers an excellent opportunity to test perceptions and frames of shale gas in a country that is not yet adopting it.

In many respects, the Romanian shale gas tale features elements of both Poland and Bulgaria. On the one hand, the country’s shale gas prospects have attracted the interest of international energy corporations such as Chevron (US), Sterling Resources (Canada), TransAtlantic Petroleum (Canada) or Hungary’s MOL, which all acquired exploration and production licenses. Domestic state owned gas producer Romgaz has also expressed interest in joining shale gas exploration. Though the Social–Democrat Ponta government, an earlier critic of fracking, had put a temporary moratorium on shale gas exploration in 2012, the latter never went into effect. Overall, the country remains open to the novel technology and has not imposed a lasting ban on it as has neighboring Bulgaria.

On the other hand, fracking has become subject to fierce political debates between shale gas proponents and opponents. As observers have noted, growing social opposition against fracking may have been a decisive factor in making foreign companies let go of Romanian shale gas assets.77 Officially a decision based on disappointing test drillings and a bearish international business environment, Chevron has announced it will leave Romania, whereas Sterling Resources sold their assets to Carlyle, the investor group.

As the interviews show, all frames identified for Poland and Bulgaria also exist in Romania, albeit with three important qualifiers: the “environmental boon” frame does not feature prominently; none of the frames is dominant among all actor groups; and frames seem much more attached to specific actor sets, with little overlap between them.

The “economic opportunity” frame, which was strongly pushed by the Ponta government despite rallying against shale gas whilst in opposition, mainly resonated among representatives of the state administration and independent observers. Cases in point are statements by the Romanian Ambassador–at–Large for Energy Security and Counselor to the Prime Minister to the effect that there is “a favorable case [to make] for shale gas exploration, due to the benefits it can bring to the national economy and energy security.” Bringing on shale gas would also impact on the Romanian gas market structure, which by now is dominated by two major producers. “New competitors that would bring shale gas to the market, together with potential reserves in the Black Sea, would make competition look totally different” (communication with energy analysts at Expert Forum, a Bucharest–based think–tank specializing in public policy and public governance reform). As stressed by various interviewees, there is particular potential for local development. Counties with potential for shale gas extraction typically are in the poorer parts of the country, and “badly […] need better infrastructure—water, roads, scholarships for kids etc.” (communication with the Director of the National Agency for Environmental Protection (ANPM), Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests). Shale gas development therefore promises to

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