Chile's SMA environmental regulator said on June 3 it was investigating Latin America-focused oil and gas explorer GeoPark Ltd. for alleged violations, including fracturing (fracking) activities without having the necessary permits.

Inspections in 2014 and 2015 of GeoPark's hydrocarbon project in the Fell Block, located in the southern Magallanes region, detected "hydraulic fracturing activities in different wells, without the environmental permits required by law for this type of activity," the regulator said.

GeoPark is also accused of having faulty systems in place for avoiding soil erosion and managing spills of hazardous materials, and of damaging archaeological findings.

GeoPark has 10 days to present a compliance plan to the SMA or 15 days to present a legal defense.