Companies to jointly explore shale gas projects in Poland

Polish state-controlled oil and gas explorer Polskie Górnictwo Naftowe i Gazownictwo (PGNiG) and Chevron have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly explore shale gas projects in south-eastern Poland.

The MoU, which is part of PGNiG’s new policy, is aimed to reduce the companies’ costs, and by virtue of an economy of scale, increase the pace of their exploration work. In addition, it will result in accomplishing the assessment of potential shale gas resources in Poland much faster.

The relationship would also provide technical collaboration in evaluating the prospectivity of individual licences.

PGNiG management board president Jerzy Kurella said that the company would be able to draw on Chevron’s global experience in shale gas exploration and production.

“Both parties could profit from sharing the exploration risk and from reduced costs, including the potential cost of developing the reserves,” Kurella added.

Chevron Polska Energy Resources country manager John Claussen said that the company believes in partnership wherever it operates.

“We will continue to focus on safe and responsible operations during our joint exploration efforts,” Claussen added.

Successful exploration could lead to formation of a 50/50 joint venture, which may receive four licences including Tomaszów Lubelski and Wiszniów-Tarnoszyn from PGNiG SA, and Zwierzyniec and Grabowiec from Chevron in south-eastern Poland.

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Image: PGNiG and Chevron officials exchanging the contract documents. Photo: courtesy of PGNiG.