PGNiG signs shale gas exploration collaboration agreement with Chevron
PGNiG has signed an agreement with Chevron Polska.
Polskie Gornictwo Naftowe i Gazownictwo S.A. (PGNiG), Poland’s natural gas no. 1, signed a collaboration agreement on March 31, 2014 for shale gas exploration with Chevron Polska Energy Resources, part of Chevron group, PGNiG stated in its press release March 31.
“By cooperating with Chevron we will be able to draw on its extensive experience in shale gas exploration,” said Mariusz Zawisza, president of PGNiG, as cited by Rzeczpospolita daily. “We hope that this partnership will be beneficial to both parties by allowing us to optimise costs and improve the effectiveness of our exploration efforts.”
John Claussen, country manager at Chevron Polska Energy Resources, expressed satisfaction with having PGNiG as a partner.
“As we expressed when we signed our MOU in December 2013, Chevron Poland is delighted to partner with PGNiG in the safe and efficient exploration of energy resources,” said Claussen.
The companies will collaborate in appraising shale gas deposits in four exploration license areas in southeastern Poland, including two owned by PGNiG (Tomaszow Lubelski and Widzniow-Tarnoszyn) and two Chevron-owned (Zwierzyniec and Grabowiec). The detailed scope and schedule of exploration works will be determined by a joint technical committee appointed by both parties.
The agreement with Chevron is part of PGNiG’s new policy of openness toward other shale gas exploration companies, as announced by the government.
According to Ministry of Environment data, PGNiG has been awarded 15 shale gas exploration concessions in Poland, and Chevron has four. PGNiG has drilled 13 test wells so far, and now plans an additional two. With four completed test wells, Chevron has only one more in plans.
Photo courtesy of PGNiG Jasło
