Greenpeace has taken another stand against fracking.
Activists chained themselves to the gates of the Chevron CVX.N shale gas exploration well in Eastern Romania, blocking access to the site.
The 25-strong group urged the government to ban fracking as they waved banners which read “Pungesti-anti-Chevron quarantine area” and “stop fracking”.
Police were sent to the scene in Pungesti but have yet to remove the activists, who are from Romania, Hungary, Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland Slovakia and Germany.
A Chevron spokesperson said: “Chevron Romania Exploration and Production is aware of the current protest. Chevron respects the right of individuals to express their opinion, however it should be done within the law.”
Chevron was the first company to begin exploring for shale in Romania. It began work on the exploration well in the village of Pungesti at the end of last year, however, was forced to repeatedly delay operations due to various protests. Protesters said they’re concerned Chevron will use fracking to access the gas locked beneath the service.
Chevron said it will continue to drill wells in the area, however, it has repeatedly said it does not plan to use fracking under its five-year exploration programme.
There is an estimated 51 trillion cubic feet of shale gas contained in Romania’s borders.