Estonia Plans to Study Natural Gas Resources

The Ministry of the Environment is seeking funds to study natural gas resources in Estonia, a controversial endeavor among researchers.

Requesting 54,500 euros from the government, the ministry would initiate drilling in 300 locations next year, into the dictyonema argillite layers, generally 50 to 60 meters deep, but in some places reaching the surface, reported Eesti Päevaleht.

“Estonia has a large supply of dictyonema argillite, but not all of it is usable. Around 8 to 14 percent contains algae remnants and other organic material, from which, in principle, we should be able to extract natural gas,” said University of Tartu geologist Volli Kalm.

Kalm suggested testing US technology, developed for extracting gas from somewhat different shale formations, to see if it is suitable for Estonian oil shale.

But Kalle Suuroja, the mapping director at the Geological Survey, is skeptical. “The Swedes have for hundreds of years searched for a techology to use their dictyonema argillite, but they have not found a single useful solution,” he said.

Suuroja still supports the ministry's initiative, but recommended focusing on Sweden's experience.