Water Resources Minister, Hocine Necib to Echorouk: “No shale gas exploration without guarantees”
Principle of preservation of water resources in the exploration is the same, either in traditional wells or in shale gas wells, and there are obligatory measures to protect the water and environmental safety procedures, and they must be followed by Sonatrach or other companies, Water Resources Minister, Hocine Necib, said.
“Government’s agenda does not contain any exploitation of shale gas, but contains the initial evaluation, which does not reach up to the degree of exploration.”
“Our ministerial constituency gives opinion in the exploration of traditional wells, and the law gives guarantees to study the impact on the surrounding environment, which is mandatory, especially those related to water. License to explore for shale gas cannot be realized, only after obtaining sufficient insulation guarantees, and this can only be through pipes and concrete double layer, to isolate the water layer, which is at a depth of 800 to 2,000 meters, while shale gas exists at depths of 4.000 to 5.000 square meters and more.”
“Government has failed in raising awareness about shale gas, especially that many compare the Algerian situation as the French one, although there is no way for comparison, because the French shale gas basins are located in danse urban surroundings in Paris and its suburbs. Can you imagine a well for shale gas in Montparnasse for example?”.
“They say that Algeria has the third shale gas reserves in the world, but no study has proved this. Americans said this, and we are facing two imperatives, the first is to ensure the safety of environment and to ensure the effectiveness of this product.”
“It is normal when citizens fear of the fate of environment, but through serious and frank dialogue, we can overcome the problem. We all have a common denominator, which is love of the homeland and we are not pleased of the damage, whether we are in power or as citizens. Despite this, exploration is not currently on the agenda, and even if it is, the negative effect on the environment is not debatable at all.”