Poland: Orlen Prepares for First Horizontal Fracturing in Lubelskie

PKN Orlen is to perform hydraulic fracturing treatments in two horizontal wells in Lubelskie Basin later this spring.

A press release from the upstream arm of the Polish oil company indicated that stimulation works to be carried out in Berejow and Syczyn in Lubelskie in the first half of 2013. Wells are situated in Lubartow and Wierzbica concession areas respectively.

According to Orlen Upstream, the first of a ten-stage treatment is to be conducted in April in Syczyn, on the 1,000-long lateral, drilled at a depth of 2,700 meters.

"The works, scheduled to last 10 to 20 days, will be performed by Schlumberger, the company that won the contract" - reads the media release - "The test will enable a preliminary appraisal of the gas reserves in the area and their commercial viability."

The other well to be treated, in Berejow, is located over 50 kms North East from Syczyn.

"We are actively working on the final fracking parameters, but also on scheduling all the other projects" – says Jacek Krawiec, President of PKN Orlen Management Board.

Orlen Upstream has already drilled a total of five wells in search of shale gas. In December PKN Orlen announced plans to spend 22.5 billion zlotys (5.5 billion euros or 7.1 billion dollars) on investments. Under this plan, the oil company is to drill at least 50 further wells before 2017.

After 33 months in to the quest for shale gas in Poland, the number of exploratory wells in the country has reached 40. Nonetheless, only two multi-staged stimulations in horizontal wells have been performed. The third is under way, several further are planned.

Data obtained from multi-stage fracturing of horizontal wells is considered crucial for estimating reserves and potential productivity and profitability.