Regulation banning the application of hydraulic fracturing technology for exploration and/or production of gas and oil on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria.

This Regulation, in relation to the necessary proceedings of the precautionary principle with regard to the protection of human health and environment, officially prohibits the application of hydraulic fracturing technology such as hydraulic shock, hydraulic fracturing, hydrofracturing, fracking and/or any other name that describes the introduction of a mixture of water or other liquid or gel-like substances with chemical compounds, elements or components, propellants, fluids, as well as mechanical and/or organic fillers, pressurized in excess of 20 atmospheres underground, for purposes of exploration and/or extraction of oil or natural gas on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria.
This Regulation further prohibits shale gas production on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria with the above described technology; prohibits field exploration for prospecting opportunities for oil and natural gas if performed with such methods.
These prohibitions are open-ended and shall apply to the whole territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, including its territorial Black Sea waters.