(Ecofin Agency) - Concerns have been raised by environmentalists in Morrocco, as to the kind of gas that was discovered from the onshore Tendrara concession by Sound Energy. This is coming months after Sound Energy, announced on February 20 that it has completed the drilling of the first well on the concession.

“We do not know if it's shale gas or other,” Soufiane Touil the President of the Local association told Yabiladi news. He added that several calls were made to the authorities but no reassuring answer has been given. “We saw the president of the municipality of Maatarka today, we asked him if it is shale gas, he said he does not know, who can know?” he added.

Ecologist has opposed the exploitation of shale gas in the region. In 2013, Morocco launched a massive shale gas exploitation program which was followed by a contract between ONHYM and foreign companies. This initiative was intensely criticized by environmentalists, including the President of ESCO, Mohamed Benata. According to him there is no doubt that the operation being performed by Sound Energy involves shale gas and the government is trying to hide it from the public.

He said historically, the exploitation of shale gas has caused conflict in many developed countries due to its high water consumption and the hazards it causes for the environment and human health, as a result of the use of toxic chemicals, such as methane.

“What is happening now worries us. We are already in an arid and semi-arid zone. People go kilometers to get water. If the company intensely pursues its activities, the situation could become very complicated for locals. Where shall we go?” Soufiane Touil said.

Anita Fatunji