Poland Visit Places Focus on Shale Gas
Shale gas exploration and extraction is to be a major topic in talks during the oncoming visit to Poland of US President Barack Obama starting on May 27th.
The Obama administration has been a strong supporter of energy security for Central and Eastern Europe nations and of shale gas development through the Global Shale Gas Initiative.
The US Energy Information Administration estimates Poland's shale gas reserves to be 5.3 billion cubic meters - the largest of the 32 European states surveyed.
Officials from the Poland's economy ministry will take the opportunity to meet US shale gas experts who will assist in the launch of Poland Span, a seismological examination of shale gas regions in the country.
Maciej Zalubski, head Polish gas giant PGNiG's oil and gas exploration unit said Polish and foreign firms will likely carry out about 100 shale gas exploration drillings in Poland within the coming 2-3 years.
Speaking to Parkiet, Zalubski said that the first 100 drillings would identify which projects should be dropped and which should be pursued.
Exploration companies who have received shale gas concessions have committed to undertake an additional 122 wells through to until 2017.