Komorowski: Shale Gas May Lead to Poland Revisit Gas Deal with Russia

The leading contender in Poland's presidential election said on Sunday that Warsaw could not sign the long-awaited gas deal with Moscow, if it finds enough shale gas in its territory.

Bronislaw Komorowski, candidate of the ruling centrist Civic Platform party,  made the comments during a live debate with his opponent, Jaroslaw Kaczynski.

Kaczynski criticized the gas deal with Russia for 10 billion cubic metres (bcm) of gas a year until 2037, that the government led by Komorowski's party, had negotiated.

"It is very risky to sign deals for more than 20 years," Kaczynski said of the agreement, which still needs to be signed to be formally enacted.

Komorowski said during the debate that Warsaw was eyeing shale gas as an alternative

"Simultaneously, we need to conduct these negotiations about natural gas and search for shale gas," he said. "If we find out that we have enough of shale gas, we want to have the right to renegotiate the deal with Russia or maybe we will step aside from it."

Komorowski ‘s positive comments towards shale gas during the debate are in stark contrast with his earlier position and statements that were widely condemned.

Drilling for shale gas has just begun to commence in Poland and thought prospects appear to be bright, it will take several years to determine if shale gas will be a commercial viable proposition and allow Poland to reduce dependence on energy imports.

Poland relies on imports for three-quarters of its annual gas consumption, with Russia being the main supplier.

The second round run-off election for Poland’s new head of state occurs next Sunday.