Makó and Canaan

Erzsébet Sulyok

2009.08.08. 12:00

Delmagyar.hu

Because of the very high risk, no government in the world would spend public money on exploration for natural resources.

We do know for a long time, that Makó – is a special place. For years we have been writing that all the famous people originated from here, the list begins with Pulitzer, Antal Páger, and Paul Newman and continues through Drew Barrymore. Plus everyone thinks there is a relation between the city of Makó and the saying about the distance between Jerusalem and the Makó knights in an old fable. But jokes aside; one thing is for sure, that there is treasure hidden in the depths of the Makó trough. It’s also true, that news about the exploration of this huge gas resource gave rise to conflicting reactions across the country, and it is also true, that we would die of boredom if it wasn’t the case.

They told us, that Kuwait’s or Dubai’s fabulous wealth awaits the Hungarians, thanks to the Makó trough. They told us, that snip-snap and we can payoff the national debt; raise the pensions, with another word: Canaan. To top it all off, they said, we would be able to do even better, if the government would stop squandering our resources and give it away to the foreign vulture capitalist. Even one shaman showed up at the well site, and repocessed the gas.

I’m telling you, we would be bored, if they just would stick to the strict facts. For example: because of the very high risk, no government in the world would spend public money on exploration for natural resources. Our gas trapped in a very deep (6 km) mother-rock that extends over very large area – two Los Angeles easily would fit on it. Only special and very expensive technology can extract it.

With this new technology, first time in Europe, Exxon and Falcon together with MOL wish to exploit this gas field. They already have spent a fortune on test drillings. This successful American technology is not guaranteed to work here, and the already spent millions are at risk.

However the plan is that in 2012 ten billion cubic meters will be produced from the estimated 600 billion cubic meters underground. For comparison: presently Hungary’s gas consumption is 13 billion cubic meters per year.

Mako and Hungary will not be a Canaan, but it will be better than now. By much more. Even so, if the producer “only” pays 12% royalties, and other applicable local taxes. And employs several thousand people, that also paying taxes. Therefore, the best thing we can do is to support the multi nationals.