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On March 18th, the Spanish government gave the Green light to a deep water oil exploration project barely 60 kms. off the coast of the Canary islands Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, where these wells are supposed to be and could yield as much as 100.000 barrels of oil per day.
Facing the actual risk of irreversible contamination that this activity implies in these circumstances, the Canary islands inhabitants say NO to this oil production in their coast.
The reduction of fuel-oil use in energy production and the increase of renewqable energies is the objective of Canary Islands. Nevertheless, we should point out the fact that 27% of the fuel used in the islands goes to electricity production. Here lays the space for the use of renewable energies. The 73% remaining is for ship fuel, kerosene to planes and gasoline and diesel for inland use, where petrol will still be needed.
While the Spanish government goes for the use of these wells in case they exist, the Canary government and municipal councils of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura are against it.
In favour of the exploration and extraction of hydrocarbons in the zone, two reasons are mainly used: the high unemployment rate in the islands, and the necessity to diversify the economy –two objective realities-.
Repsol claims that they will create between 4000 and 5000 jobs. Against this activity, we find the many risks implying the natural environment, biodiversity, population and specifically the risks for tourism as the current economic motor of the region.
The place for the first drilling, called “Sandía” (watermelon) is located about 54 kms. off the coast from Lanzarote and 62 from Fuerteventura.
Fonts:
http://www.laprovincia.es/opinion/2014/08/29/prospecciones-petroliferas-canarias/629731.html
Greenpeace protests: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcnpDXplF_k
Greenpeace ship image: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc9zykiBQDB304UvH6vPKOEJDrgBTdyySQuM5-Y3yXZ1y3QT0N9nNktCPFKTiuuUnTJAl4zXJTuWIK37nlh0IvnqrJYRTlz3p8z5BnDoHR1VkVcYBSPrLNPCYmn6lN_LdrpHDFslFUFbo/s1600/articsunrise.jpg
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