Arguments Pro and Against Shale Gas Exploitation Worldwide and in Romania

AbstractShale gas emerges as a new and important source of energy for the post - industrial world. It is assumed that countries that have considerable shale deposits will be better placed in the 21st century competition between states. The United States have one of biggest deposits of shale gas, underscores a domestic production “boom” and is on the verge of becoming a gas exporter in Western Europe. The United States still has few capabilities to export shale gas to Europe. It would have to build new liquefaction facilities to do that. On the other side, Russia is, for the moment, the energy giant of Europe, its massive exports of natural gas to the area, acting as a powerful political leverage especially on the eastern and central European space. But in Europe, at least 10 countries are believed to hold significant shale gas reserves; among them, Romania is assumed to have huge unconventional gas reserves, whose exploitation could ensure its medium-term energy independence, and combined with newly discovered gas in the Black Sea, and energy efficiency improvement measures, provide not only the energy independence but transform Romania into a regional power pole.The interesting fact is how each country in Europe, will choose to convert resources in shale gas reserves and to exploit them to the benefit of the economy, the society and the environment. Besides some clear positive effects (decreasing energy imports, creating a stronger negotiating position against external (fossil fuel) suppliers and diversifying Europe's energy mix) will shale gas extraction succeed to decrease gas bill for population, by reducing prices, or will it stick only to royalties and fees collection, as well as with some local social and economic effects, with the consequence of prolonged pollution or even potentially devastating effects on the environment? In order that gas-gas competition begins to act effectively and exert a strong competitive pressure on gas import prices in Europe (by changing their base and weaken the link with oil prices, up to a possible decoupling of it) it is necessary that Europe will benefit from a big inflow of gas supplies, shale gas included, from different sources tha