After two years of deliberations and despite opposition from the government of the Canary Islands and environmental groups, the Ministry of Industry has granted permission to Repsol to carry out oil exploration inthe area between Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and Morocco.
The permission relates to the gathering of rock or fluid samples using ships to detect the possible existence of hydrocarbons in the area.
The agreement does not cover the possible extraction of hydrocarbons, such action would require the submission of anew project for approval. Environmental groups have expressed concerns about the effects this activity will have on tourism, fishing and marine wildlife resources.