Italy to Block Exploration Permits

By Stephen Jewkes
Wednesday, January 9, 2019

The Italian government is planning to block the issuing of about 36 permits to look for oil and gas as part of plans to cut the country's carbon footprint, the industry ministry said on Wednesday.

In a statement the ministry said upstream oil and gas activity in Italy was not of strategic importance for the country.

Some industry experts say Italy is sitting on some of the biggest reserves in Europe, but red tape has scuppered exploration for years.

Italy's domestic gas production accounts for only 7.5 percent of its needs while its oil production is around 7.3 percent of demand.

The ruling coalition of populist 5-Star Movement and right-wing League want to boost the role of renewable energy in Italy's energy mix rather than explore for oil and gas.

It plans to phase out coal power production by 2025 and has set a target of having 30 percent of domestic energy consumption generated from green sources by 2030.

Long-term, it is looking to phase out fossil fuels by 2050.

"The issuance of about 36 permits currently pending, including three permits already issued in the Ionian Sea, will be halted," the ministry's energy undersecretary Davide Crippa said in a statement.

The measures will be included in an amendment to legislation that will be discussed in parliament in coming days, the ministry said.


(Reporting by Stephen Jewkes; Editing by Elaine Hardcastle)

Categories: Exploration Environmental Industry News Europe Government Regulations

Related Stories

PTTEP Hires Velesto’s Jack-Up Rig for Drilling Campaign off Malaysia

Petrovietnam, Partners Sign PSC for Block Off Vietnam

CNOOC Signs Hydrocarbons Exploration and Production Deal with Kazakhstan

Thailand's PTT to Buy LNG from Glenfarne's Alaska LNG Project

Japanese Oil and Gas Firm Enters Two Blocks off Malaysia

MODEC and Terra Drone Renew FPSO Drone Inspection Partnership

Yinson Production Closes $1B Investment to Drive Further Growth

Fugro Expands Geotechnical Testing Capabilities in Indonesia

CDWE Wraps Up Pin Pile Installation Job for Taiwanese Offshore Wind Farm

VARD Snags $125M Shipbuilding Deal for Subsea Construction Vessel

Current News

PTTEP Hires Velesto’s Jack-Up Rig for Drilling Campaign off Malaysia

Yinson Production Secures $1.17B Refinancing for FPSO Maria Quitéria

Centrica and Thailand’s PTT Ink Long-Term LNG Supply Deal

Petrovietnam, Partners Sign PSC for Block Off Vietnam

Japan Protests China’s New Oil and Gas Construction Activities in East China Sea

CNOOC Signs Hydrocarbons Exploration and Production Deal with Kazakhstan

Thailand's PTT to Buy LNG from Glenfarne's Alaska LNG Project

Woodside and Jera Agree LNG Cargoes Supply for Japan’s Winter Period

Petronas Expands Suriname Portfolio with Deepwater Block Acquisition

Japanese Oil and Gas Firm Enters Two Blocks off Malaysia

Subscribe for AOG Digital E‑News

AOG Digital E-News is the subsea industry's largest circulation and most authoritative ENews Service, delivered to your Email three times per week

https://accounts.newwavemedia.com