Polish and Canadian Companies Consider Shale Alliance
Polish and Canadian companies will start talks on launching shale gas cooperation.
Polish TreasuryMinister Mikolaj Budzanowski disclosed that Polish gas company PGNiG and oil importer and refiner PKN Orlen, will meet delegations from Nexen, Talisman and Encana.
Speculation about possible alliances between Polish and Canadian companies engaged in shale gas development, have been circulating in the Polish media since mid-2011.
Following Prime Minister Donald Tusk's visit to Ottawa on 15th of May for discussions with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, both leaders announced bolstering energy cooperation with a priority for shale gas development.
PGNiG CEO Grazyna Piotrowska-Oliwa confirmed that the company is in talks with foreign firms.
Piotrowska-Oliwa revealed that PGNiG is not considering sharing its concessions with any partners. Instead, the Polish company aims to create a special purpose investing vehicle to finance earmarked projects.
In interviews with Rzeczpospolita Daily and Polish Press Agency, she disclosed that PGNiG could drill up to ten exploratory shale gas wells this year, providing the receipt of environmental permissions and standard weather conditions.
Grazyna Piotrowska Oliwa re-iterated that she expected shale gas production to start at the end of 2015, at the latest.