Poland Opposes Restrictive Rules on EU Shale

The European Union is urged to avoid restrictive regulations on shale gas if it wants to foster the nascent industry, which could decrease the price of energy in the Old Continent, said Poland’s EU Affairs minister to Reuters.

“There are a few politicians in Europe that would like the European Commission to initiate some legislation on this, but there are not so many governments that want to see European-wide regulations when it comes to shale gas,” claimed Poland’s minister Piotr Serafin, adding that the EU should definitely avoid common regulations on unconventional gas.

The European Union remains the stronghold of renewable energies, but it increased its greenhouse emissions in the last months.

“Europe cannot be the lone knight in the fight against global warming,” said Serafin, referring to the decreased investments on renewable energies in the United States.

Last week, San Leon Energy announced it completed the hydraulic fracture of Lewino-1G2 well in Gdansk W Concession in Poland, adding that it attained the highest average main treatment pump rate outside North America. 

According to a recent report by the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), Poland has the second largest shale gas reserves after Russia.

Prospects of shale gas developments in Poland darkened this year. Marathon Oil and Talisman Energy scaled back their investments, following Exxon Mobil’s decision to pull out of the country.