Overview
- The Bavarian economics ministry confirms the permit covers exploration only and that any drilling would require separate approvals by Bergamt Südbayern and other authorities.
- Oneo describes the Wertach area as a northern extension of the existing Schwabmünchen field and says the current work is a geological and economic assessment.
- Bund Naturschutz, Fridays for Future and local residents rallied at the Wertach near Großaitingen, citing conflicts with climate targets and risks to drinking water and rare species.
- Activists point to a past oil leak near Oneo’s headquarters in Landau as a safety warning for new infrastructure crossing local rivers.
- Oneo currently produces about 30,000 tonnes of oil per year in the area and says any future activity at Wertach would involve a small footprint and could begin only after further permits, with the earliest technical steps in 2027.