PGNiG Release on Presentation at World Shale Gas 2010
Prospects of shale gas exploration, regulations related to its operation and environmental protection and impact on the market for natural gas and LNG dominated the World Congress of World Shale Gas in 2010, attended by representatives of gas companies from over 30 countries including the Polish Oil and Gas from the Vice President of PGNiG SA, Mark Karabula and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of PGNiG SA, Prof. Stanislaw Rychlickim.
Most forum participants emphasized the importance of the discovery of huge gas reserves from shale gas market in the United States and consequently also for the rest of the world. Whether a similar breakthrough will be possible also for other potential areas of unconventional gas including the slate?
According to international experts, it is perfectly possible. This is evidenced by strong interest by American companies with significant experience in the industry, in many regions of the world, and particularly in Poland, where the potential resources are estimated for one of the largest in Europe.
Possibilities of shale gas exploration in Poland aroused great interest among the participants of the Congress, who asked about the conditions for research in Poland, among others the fees associated with obtaining a license, the amount of potential resources and a start date of extraction.
"PGNiG SA began the process of prospectors for the gas from shale. The earliest we will be able to assess the volume of reserves is in two years and if the results of research are promising, could start production in ten years. We are also open to cooperation with foreign companies in this area "- said Prof. Stanislaw Rychlicki, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of PGNiG SA,.
The participant panel focused on the prospects for exploration and possible exploitation of shale gas in Poland. At the same time presented the degree of preparation of the PGNiG Group in shale gas exploration, informing it about the competence of the companies belonging to the PGNiG Group in the field of geological work and service.
In his presentation Rychlicki said "The search for unconventional gas in Poland," he said of the prospective areas of natural gas from shale in the country, to mention a concession owned by PGNiG SA.
PGNiG currently has 15 licenses for exploration of gas shale and 6 concession to explore for gas jammed (tight gas) in Poland. PGNiG SA has, among others two concessions in the area Wejherowo, two of Warmia, four in the Warsaw area and five in south-eastern Poland. For gas exploration licenses are tightened in the area of Wielkopolska.
The most promising area of shale, which may be a gas belt covers from Gdansk via Warsaw to Lublin. These shales occur at a depth of approximately 3000 m to about 4000 m.
Source: PGNIG SA (Translated from Polish)