Costa Del Sol Oil Drill Plans Come Under Fire

July 28, 2010 - PRLog -- With the recent BP Deepwater disaster still spilling out in to the Gulf of Mexico, tarnishing such vital tourism spots as Florida and New Orleans, European destinations are beginning to take note of the risk of offshore drilling, and the danger it can pose to bustling tourist destinations. Florida Governor Charlie Crist is already proposing a constitutional ban of drilling offshore Florida, to prevent a similar disaster losing the billions of dollars lost in this spill, now many hope the Costa Del Sol may do similar by preventing Repsol's proposed drill on their shores.

Repsol-YPF have proposed drilling a site just nine miles away from the busy tourist spots of Mijos, Cabopino and Fuengirola. The spot is a 16 square kilometre spread of oil, identified by a 2005 seismic survey, and Repsol hope to start test drilling by the beginning of January next year.

Yet the plans have fallen under fire from Ecological groups such as Ecologistas en Accion, who believe that the drill could cause no end of detriment to the Costa Del Sol's tourist industry, and expressing concern for the area's wildlife and nature. “It is completely incompatible with with both tourism and environmental interests of the Costa Del Sol,” a spokesman for Ecologistas en Accion, commented.

Tourism represents the Costa Del Sol's largest source of income, accounting for over a billion Euros a year as it brings in over 10 million visitors.  Earlier this year we have seen American Tourism take a considerable blow as hot spots such as Destin have remained relatively empty over the summer period. Green Groups are forecasting a similar problem here, the affect on nature and all those involved in the tourist trade, from hotels to privately owned Costa Del Sol villas, could be catastrophic, as it has proved to be for Destin vacation rental owners.

Ecologistas en Accion have already submitted their concerns in reports to the Environment Ministry prior to public consultation deadline.

Meanwhile Repsol are insistent its plans to drill will not affect the Costa Del Sol coastline. The construction is said to be designed for low visibility, using an underwater well head rather than floating platform. The oil is then to be transported by a submarine conduit to a base being built on the shore.

Repsol are planning their test drill for the beginning of next year so as not to interfere with the migration of Whales, who will have completed their travels by then. This test drill will determine whether there is enough gas to make the endeavor economically viable. Yet before this procedure can go ahead the company must first receive clearance from Spain's Environment Ministry.

The Environment Ministry have already started procedure in to whether this may be an environmentally friendly pursuit and are set to make their decision by the end of September.

Spain's Industry Ministry has already cleared plans for the drill.

Slightly ironically, BP boss Tony Hayward's luxury villa in Andalucia nears completion, as he joins the the ensemble of oil Tycoons with luxury retreats in the Costa Del Sol.



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