Offshore Drilling: Spain
Projects to search for offshore hydrocarbons have multiplied in recent years. However, the economic interest in exploiting these resources does not run in parallel with the knowledge of their ecological value, as the studies of environmental impact by oil companies show. All of the reports that Oceana has analysed contain serious deficiencies and in some cases even hide data, although this does not prevent them from being approved by the administrative processes.
In addition, no technology currently exists that is capable of quickly stopping a spill occurring at great depth, as was demonstrated by the accident of the Deepwater Horizon. For this reason, some projects seriously endanger the surrounding areas and resources such as fisheries and tourism.
The domestic production of crude oil accounted for 0.24% of the total consumed in Spain in 2012, which is a long way short of self-sufficiency. Oceana believes that offshore prospecting presents disproportionately high risks when compared to its contribution to energy security and advocates clean energy.
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| Canarian depths threatened |
Analysis by Oceana of projects in Spanish waters:
Andalucía
Comentarios de Oceana al Estudio de Impacto Ambiental del Proyecto de Sondeo Exploratorio Siroco
Sondeos de hidrocarburos en la Costa del Sol. Proyecto Siroco
Hydrocarbon surveys off the Costa del Sol. Siroco Project
Canarias
Áreas marinas de Canarias afectadas por la exploración petrolífera
Cataluña
Comunidad Valenciana – Islas Baleares
Alegaciones proyecto sísmica 2D en el mar Balear
País Vasco
Comentarios de Oceana al “Sondeo exploratorio Fulmar-1 y Pelícano-1 en el mar Cantábrico”
