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Oil will be explored from ships, environment protected

The project can now begin, after all necessary preparations are concluded, Dnevne Novine daily reports.

Many believe that this phase of the project is the most important for the state, because it will learn does it have a potential for oil exploration, after almost a 100 years of waiting.

Explorations were done in our state, even inland during 1949-1966, and then after 1973, Jugopetrol did over 10.000 km of 2D profiles in the sea, 1.250 km 2D inland and 400 km2 3D, in cooperation with foreign oil companies.

There were three drills in the sea, at the depths of 4.750, 3.700 and 4.606 metara, while one drill of 5.309 meters of depth was drilled in the close vicinity of the shore. However, not a lot of citizens remember these events.

Among those who do remember, there are individuals who claim that oil was found around Ulcinj, but it was not in the interest of Yugoslavia to develop this resources, because it was agreed that one republic in Yugoslavia would hold the monopoly. What is truth and what is legend is irrelevant from today’s point of view.

Exploration from the ships

Just the exploration phase, according to contracts, is set to last four and then three years. Explorations are done by having ships sail into parts of the sea given to companies.

The data will be gathered from the ship, and it could take weeks. Then, the ship leaves, and data is processed in companies.

It is important to underline that this will not be happening during the season. There are regulations in place in order to protect ecosystem of the sea and biodiversity. Explorations are forbidden during migration and mating times of sea mammals. Before each activity, environment impact study must be done, including detailed recordings of the seabed. Activities will be limited in protected areas, archeological sites, fishing zones, sea roads, mined areas and Natura 2000 zones. EU Directive on Safety of Oil and Gas Explorations in Seabeds is to be respected fully within Montenegrin legislative system.

Minister of Economy Vladimir Kavarić said in the Parliament that Montenegro will follow “Norwegian model”. It entails all activities regulated by law, defined obligations of the state and foreign companies, and environment protection.

Director of Directorate for hydrocarbons Vladan Dubljević said earlier that companies were given a space of 1.228 to 3.191 square kilometers. Dubljević explained that the exploration is to happen in two periods, four and three years, while production phase should be 20 years, with possible prolongation of 10 years.

Tourism and fishing will not be endangered

Examples from our neighbouring states demonstrate that tourism and fishing can exist alongside explorations. Croatia has 18 productive gas drills in Istra. Still, no one knows that Istra is center of hydrocarbon production in Croatia, but everyone heard of it as a tourist destination.

It is similar in Italy as well. Our neighbours have 1.358 exploration drills, and there are 110 gas and 38 oil drills that are active. Our citizens were not informed of this, but they do know that Italy is among most developed touristic destinations.

Ministry of Economy announced drafts of contracts on two blocks with Greek company Energean Oil & Gas.

Greece has production in zone of Thassos island. Platforms are 8 to 18 km away from the shore, and tourism is still very well developed. Oil industry and tourism have been going hand in hand for over 30 years here. Ever since oil production has begun, Greece noticed record number of tourists each year.

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