Commencement of gas drilling in Reichling, Bavaria, occurred on Friday - Exploration of natural gas commences in Reichling, Bavaria, starting from this Friday
Controversial Natural Gas Drilling Begins in Upper Bavaria's Reichling
Natural gas drilling has commenced in the Upper Bavarian region of Reichling, near the picturesque Lake Ammersee. The test drilling, initiated by Genexco Gas, has been met with protests and concerns from environmental activists, who are urging authorities to halt further gas extraction in the area.
The drilling, which began on June 26, 2024, followed a permit granted by the South Bavarian Mining Office. Despite days of no official confirmation, the Bavarian government confirmed the drilling to the German Press Agency in Munich.
The operation has sparked environmental concerns, with activists citing the disturbance of the local ecosystem around Lake Ammersee and wider concerns about fossil fuel emissions. Greenpeace and other groups have led protests against the drilling, emphasizing the need to halt new natural gas projects to mitigate environmental damage and climate change effects.
Genexco Gas is the company behind the drilling project, with the "Energieprojekt Lech Kinsau 1 GmbH" being the main operator. MRH Mineraloel-Rohstoff-Handel GmbH holds 80% of the company, while Genexco GmbH holds the remaining 20%.
The Bavarian Minister of Economic Affairs, Hubert Aiwanger (Frei Wähler), is a political figure involved in decisions regarding the approval of such drilling projects. Activists have targeted him, urging him not to authorize further natural gas drilling in Bavaria.
The estimated gas volume that could be produced is 400 to 500 million cubic meters, which could supply gas to 10,000 to 15,000 households during the production period. If the test drilling is successful, gas production is planned to continue for ten to fifteen years.
However, neither the Bavarian government nor the Ministry of Economics nor the company responded to inquiries about the drilling before it started. The gas demand in Germany is almost entirely covered by imports, with 96% of the demand being met as of the request to Gas and Hydrogen Economy e.V.
The controversy surrounding the Reichling natural gas drilling continues to escalate, with repeated protests in the Landsberg district and among environmental and nature conservationists. The timeline is active, with protests coinciding with drilling preparations or early phases near Lake Ammersee.
The community calls for aid as protests intensify, demanding a halt to the controversial natural gas drilling in Upper Bavaria's Reichling. The development of fisheries sector becomes crucial, as environmental activists voice concerns about potential damage to the ecosystem and fish in Lake Ammersee.
To mitigate the environmental impact and promote sustainable energy, the focus shifts towards enhancing the fisheries policy and the study of environmental-science, with the hope that such measures can provide alternative sources of livelihood for the community and protect the local environment.
