Poland: Shale Gas Reserves One-Fifth of Estimates

As reported by Natural Gas Europe in December 2011, Poland’s shale gas resources will be announced as substantially lower than the originally forecast. 

Official forecasts due to be released on March 21st, will show deposits at one fifth of original estimates.

Speaking on Poland’s TVP television, Treasury Minister Mikolaj Budzanowski said that reserves will be 1 trillion cubic metres.

Despite the dramatic revision, Poland remains optimistic of the opportunity to commercial develop shale gas and reduce its dependence on Russian imports.

"Even if it's less, it will be enough to satisfy demand of the Polish market for several decades ahead," Budzanowski commented.

An initial estimate by a branch of by the U.S. Department of Energy showed Poland’s shale gas resources at 5.3 trillion cubic metres.

Jerzy Nawrocki, director of Poland’s Geological Institute, had earlier commented that though lower reserves may be lower than hoped for, shale gas would “remain economically viable to produce.”