On 24/10/2006, the Company Hydrocarbons of Euskadi, SA (SHESA) was granted with a licence for study the feasibility of a proposed fracking for a period of six years through the so-called Enara Licence (BOE 22/12/2005). SHESA is a company of the Basque Energy Organisation (EVE) within the Department of Industry of the Basque Government. The license involves territories in Euskadi and Castilla y León, affecting a total of 140,000 hectares.

This license is effective until 19/06/2014, but explorations have not started so far, in 2013.

In October 2011, after five years of technical studies, the former Basque President Patxi Lopez, during a visit in Texas, announced the existence of large reserves of shale gas in Araba. He also announced the creation of a consortium between the EVE (SHESA, 44%) and other companies with experience in shale gas extraction: Heyco Energy Group companies (36%) and Cambria Europe Inc. (a subsidiary of True Oil, 20%). The consortium would invest 50 million to study the feasibility of the project, and testing would begin in 2012 in 75,852 ha located in Subijana (Vitoria-Gasteiz, Araba, Spain).

Out of 9 exploration-license applications within the ENARA licence, only two (ENARA 16.A, ENARA 16.B, both in Subijana) have been accepted. In both cases, exploratory wells (10/06/2013) have been dug to perform seismic tests to create a map of conventional hydrocarbon location. In principle, they will not be used for fracking exploration and exploitation. However, there is no a guarantee that the research being done under the umbrella of the search for conventional resources will not be used afterwards for extraction of unconventional hydrocarbons.

Numerous associations, owners and social movements have organised themselves against the project through the creation of the 'Frackingezaraba' platform.

The estimate for Araba encompasses an area of more than 140,000 ha. The project aims to obtain 180 BCM (BCM = one billion m3) throught 2600-3000 wells. They would consume an estimate of 27 million to 113 million m3 of water. The project woudl generate from 4 million to 68 million m3 of waste water containing additives (which counts for ca 2% of the volume). The project planning also entails 75 million truck trips for gas transportation.

The two accepted licences include the following details: The drilling will reach an estimated depth of 4864 meters, crossing the limestones of the Subijana aquifer between 149 and 749 meters.

During the drilling phase, the volume of water required is estimated at 3,300 m3, the consumption of which during a period of over seventy-six days. Once the well is drilled, the stimulation of potential gas reservoirs may require an additional volume of 35,000 m3, The stimulation process may last approximately forty days.

The water supply will be carried out from the Zalla river catchment. This river is included in a Special Areas for the Protection for the Bird Avión zapador (Riparia ripariai) and preferential distribution area for the European Mink (Mustela lutreola).

The project will also involve civil works in the drilling sites, through the setting of well pad with an approximate area of 100 × 100 m, partially covered by a concrete slab where the drilling platform will be supported. A 180-m length pathway to access the platform from the road A-3603 will be opened.

A waterproofed pool (15 × 10 × 2 meters) will be excavated, as well as another pool (also waterproofed) for the managent of the sludge (40 × 10 × 2.5 meters) next to the platform. A fiberglass septic tank, with capacity of 9000 liters) will be installed and also two sinks built for possible spills.