Poland: Updated, Higher Shale Estimates Expected in 2013

The Polish Geological Institute  (Państwowy Instytut Geologiczny) will publish its new report on shale gas reserves in late 2013.

Speaking to Natural Gas Europe, Poland's Deputy Minister of Environment and Chief Geologist Piotr Woźniak emphasised that estimates will be based on data collected from exploratory wells drilled from 2010-2012, by international companies and Polish state-controlled firms.

The previous estimates published by the Polish Geological Institute in March put recoverable reserves of shale gas in Poland at between 346 and 768 billion cubic metres. However, the report was based on archival data, obtained in the second half of the previous century, from wells drilled between the 50s and the 90s. 

Mr. Wozniak underlines, that the first PGI report was only a preliminary one. The Chief Geologist, who took the office several months ago adds, that the report "should have been published by his predecessors much earlier, three - four years ago".

Mr. Wozniak indicated, that this time the Institute will use data from new wells. Under the exploratory concessions regime, companies must pass their data to the ministry till March 2013.

The Chief Geologist predicted that a new report, using those new measurements, will be ready for publication at the end of 2013. He added that in that new report, higher estimates should be expected.