The Platform Free the Segura Basin from Fracking (Cuenca del Segura Libre de Fracking), (PCSLF), was protested in writing to the Segura Water Board, CHS, and the Ministry of Energy, claiming fracking would put underwater and superficial water reserves at risk.
The Platform has also appealed to the Ministry of Energy to “declare extinct” the Aries – 2 contracts, which permitted investigations of hydrocarbons and which expired in January 2015.
In a letter to CHS the Platform demand a report on the effects of fracking on superficial and underwater water reserves.
“ We don´t understand why farmers and landowners are not taking a firmer position against drilling which affect them above all. It is madness that they are supporting an industry which contaminates, is dirty, prejudicial and expensive, when there is the cheaper, cleaner alternative of solar energy,” claims Antonio Muga, spokesperson for the Platform.
Muga goes on to claim that fracking has a high environmental and financial cost and “could contaminate the most important water reserve of the Segura.”
Fracking has not been prohibited in the Murcia region and the company, Oil&Gas, which holds the most concessions in the region, continues to advance towards the drilling stage in Calasparra, Cieza, Moratalla, Caravaca, Abarán, Chegín, Bullas, Jumilla y Yecla.
In order to extract gas by fracking it is necessary to perforate the surface and subsoil and then inject large quantities of water, sand at pressure plus chemicals.
In the Segura basin there are existing fracking permits, Aries 2, Leo and Escorpio, plus Acuario, which awaits approval.
Calasparra has declared itself “fracking free” since 2000.
