Locals Prefer Tourists to Towers

Speaking last week at an industry conference on shale gas exploration, Donald Tusk declared that he would be personally involved - as Prime Minister of the Polish government - in terms of search optimization, logistics and business related to the extraction of shale gas.

We are determined to seek (...) and the use of shale gas in Poland has become a reality, "- said Tusk." Every cubic meter of shale gas in Poland - if possible - must be used - he added.

The Polish government has already issued 24 licenses to companies to engage in the exploration of gas shale.

However, residents of areas near to shale gas operations appear not to to share the Prime Minister’s hope that commercial deposits will be found to increase the energy security of the country.

Locals of Niestkowo and adjoining villages in Poland’s Slupsk region, recently expressed their opposition to shale gas drilling.

In an open meeting, residents expressed their concerns to Mayor of Ustka, Anna Sobczuk-Montessori and Jacek Wroblewski, Country Manager of BNK Petroleum,

BNK acts as operator for the Saponis consortium (BNK, Rohöl- Aufsuchungs Aktiengesellschaft, Sorgenia E&P SpA and LNG Energy) which has drilled the Wytowno S1 well and confirmed the presence of shale gas.

Wroblewski explained the initial process involved in the exploration and research of shale gas to the gathering. He stressed that permission to extraction shale gas was a separate matter that required further application and approvals.

“It's still not certain, because we do not know the test results, so I do not know whether or not the operation would be profitable,” explained Wroblewski.

Locals complained that they had not been consulted during the initial stages drilling and cast doubt on Wroblewski assurance that if commercial extraction of shale gas was to proceed, then the matter would be discussed in advance with the affected residents.

Residents complained of the noise disturbing their sleep and some even felt vibrations in the course of drilling.  Concerns were expressed that the infrastructure disfigured the landscape, discourage tourism and that operations to extract the shale gas led to water and air contamination.

Speaking at the conference Prime Minister Tusk said “it (shale gas) has to be safe for the environment" and hoped that one outcome of the discussions would "be a sense of security and hope of millions of people who do not have to be familiar with the technology, shale gas production, but they have a right to believe that their energy security is in good hands."

The concerns expressed by the residents of Niestkowo shows that the Polish government needs to engage more openly with its constituents to make sure that they know, that institutions and politicians care both about their energy future and their environs.