Algarve oil drilling approved

Political parties, interest groups and society in general this week reacted with incredulity and dismay after high-ranking government officials joined to inform the country that oil prospecting off the coast of south-western Portugal would commence in September. The news was made official following a decision by the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) that there was no need for an environmental impact study to ascertain any adverse effects resulting from drilling off the Algarve coast.

There was not a political party that did not criticise the decision to allow the ENI/Galp consortium to initiate oil drilling off the Algarve coast, with MPs from the ruling Socialist Party joining in lambasting the APA.

In a statement issued on Wednesday evening, MPs representing the Algarve branch of the party, said the APA had become “useless, even an obstacle, when it comes to forming policies relating to environmental issues in Portugal. They act against recommendations made by lawmakers in Parliament and in contradiction to the opinion of associations and organisations who defend environmental causes.”

The Socialists said the decision is “against the interests of the Algarve and the country and, in a certain way, the APA has just confirmed its own irrelevance.”

Local MPs also recalled that tourism represents around a fifth of the country’s exports, estimated at 15 billion euros, with the Algarve responsible for around half this figure.

The verdict to go ahead with drilling along the Alentejo basin unopposed came after the APA President Nuno Lancasta announced that “no significant negative impacts were identified” in the proposed drilling set to commence in September at a location 46 kilometres from Ajezur.

Drilling will take place at a depth of 1,070 metres performed initially by the Sapien 12000 drillship which, until last month, had been used in operations off the coast of Morocco. Crew on board will number around 150.

The prospection will last an estimated three months over a period of 50 working days.

Members of the opposition PSD party expressed similar sentiments to their political opponents, saying the APA’s decision will only serve to increase “mistrust and uncertainty” among residents.

They also recalled that more than 42,000 people participated in the public consultation with the opinions of respondents not held in regard.

