Portuguese government cancels four offshore oil and gas contracts in Algarve, the struggle continues against drilling in Aljezur.

PRESS RELEASE
31/03/2017

Portuguese government cancels four offshore oil and gas contracts in Algarve, the struggle continues against drilling in Aljezur.

The four contracts for exploration and extraction of oil and gas – namely Lagosta, Lagostim, Caranguejo and Sapateira – belonging to Repsol and Partex Oil and Gas (the fossil fuel company of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation) disappeared from the National Authority for Fuel Market website, confirming the cancellation of these contracts in Algarve. The fossil-free movement is committed to the immediate cancellation of the upcoming drill in Aljezur coast and the remaining concessions.

Climáximo considers this news as an important victory of dozens of movements who defend the sea and the coast against the infinite thirst of the fossil fuel industry. Following the cancellation in last December of Portfuel’s onshore contracts in Algarve, this offshore cancellation is yet another step forward. However, these cannot justify the other contracts, nor should they be imagined to calm down the movement against fossil fuels: we will do everything possible to stop the Aljezur drill and the continuation of the other concessions in Alentejo Coast, Peniche Basin and the West coast until Oporto.

We will continue the struggle against fossil fuels, not only because it is the only possible way to limit global warming by 2C, but also as collectives and individuals defending the oceans and the soil against extractivist practices destroying the geological, biological, economical and social systems we all depend on. Six contracts are cancelled, nine more to go. Keep the fossil fuels in the ground!