Poland Expects Thirty New Shale Drill Sites in 2014

Poland will soon come up with regulations for its nascent shale gas industry, officials said on Wednesday. Environment Minister Maciej Grabowski said he foresees 30 new shale gas drillings this year, as the result of more business-friendly regulations.

So far only some 50 wells have been drilled, with mixed results.

Recently, Italy’s Eni let two of three shale gas exploration licenses expire. The company said it does not intend to renew them. Eni has a third license that will expire in June 2018. 

Previous Polish government’s attempt at mandating co-operation in the shale gas sector amongst state controlled enterprises has crumbled. 

In December, Piotr Wozniak, Poland’s Deputy Environment Minister and Chief National Geologist, has been removed. Environment Minister Maciej Grabowski dismissed Wozniak, replacing him in both positions with Slawomir Brodziński. Wozniak was responsible for drafting laws setting out regulations for the development of the shale gas industry and for licensing procedures. His reshuffle indicates the difficulties within the Polish government to foster a shale gas industry that would decrease Warsaw’s reliance on imports from Russia.

ExxonMobil was the first company to pull out of the country. Marathon Oil and Talisman Energy followed in 2013.