The project, backed by Bridge Energies, has received government approval. However, Eau de Paris, the operator responsible for supplying drinking water, has lodged an application for interim measures with the administrative court, expressing concerns about the ‘safety of the drinking water supply’

Paris City Council expressed its opposition to a new oil drilling project on Monday 6 May, even though this initiative, planned for Seine-et-Marne, had been authorised by the State. The city council, headed by Anne Hidalgo, described the situation as a ‘potential environmental disaster’, underlining the growing threats to water resources.

Eau de Paris, the city’s operator, has lodged an application for interim measures with the Melun administrative court, seeking the suspension of the prefectoral order authorising work on the Nonville hydrocarbon concession, located 80 km from Paris. According to the application sent to AFP, Eau de Paris believes that the extension will compromise the safety of the city’s drinking water supply, as well as biodiversity and efforts to combat climate change.

Dan Lert, deputy minister for ecological transition and chairman of Eau de Paris, warned that the government was ‘playing with fire’, pointing out that 180,000 residents of Paris and Seine-et-Marne depend on water catchments near the oil site.

There is also talk of new drilling in Gironde. Bridge Energies holds a concession to exploit the deposit until 2034 and already operates three wells. The company has obtained authorisation to open two more, but the Environmental Authority has made a number of recommendations, including the need to assess and prevent environmental risks.

The Ministry of the Economy declined to comment on these developments. In February, the Ministry for Industry and Energy expressed its support for a project to drill eight new oil wells in Gironde, despite France’s commitment to phase out oil and gas production by 2040.