The production of shale gas in Poland will be intensified in the nearest future

Despite the fact that in the U.S. the technology of exploration and production of shale gas has been used for a long time, this type of fuel is treated more cautiously in Europe. The directorate of energy actively supports the development of this technology, but the environmentalists are concerned about the negative effects of extraction of this type of fuel.

The deputy minister of Environment of Poland Piotr Wozniak had expressed his opinion on shale gas. He believes that this technology is very perspective for Poland, and so it should be developed, but this should be done wisely. He does not believe that the views of the proponents of this method and the environmentalists are so radically different. Shale gas can be extracted without adverse effects.

That is why in Poland, without undue haste, the work has been started on the development of production of this fuel. They started with an assessment of the country's shale gas reserves and their importance for the economy, and possibly for export in future.

Piotr Wozniak, who is a geologist by education, says that shale gas is relatively easy to find, but much more difficult to obtain.

Now the Poles actively cooperate with U.S. companies, but they do not just blindly apply the technological experience of the colleagues, they adapt it to the local specifics of the region. Polish experts analyze the impact of shale gas extraction on the environment. Now there are 40 wells that are monitored 24 hours a day. As for now the experts claim that with proper implementation and monitoring of the technology, there is no threat of serious seismic issues or groundwater pollution.

By 2015, the Poles hope to reach a certain commercial rates of extraction of shale gas.