Brussels, 19/09/2011 (Agence Europe) - Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has announced the start of commercial extraction of schist gas in Poland in 2014, with a view to ensuring the country's gas security and, thus, is energy independence from Russia by 2035.
“Taking a cautiously optimistic view, commercial extraction of schist gas will begin in 2014”, Tusk announced in Lubocin, in the north of Poland where one of the country's largest deposits of non-conventional gas is situated, on 18 September. The aim is to achieve Poland's “gas security” by 2035. “After decades of dependence on our larger neighbour (Russia: Ed.), I can say today that my generation will see the day when we achieve gas independence and it will be for us to set the conditions”, Tusk went on, indicating that he had received assurances that drilling for and extracting schist gas did not present a threat to the environment. “That is very important for us”, he added, stating that, in this, Poland had a strong argument in the debate in Europe over whether or not extraction of schist gas should be allowed.
Poland may dream of independence from Russian gas, thanks to the massive schist gas deposits, estimated at 5,300 billion m³, within its borders, but other countries have their reservations. This includes France, which has, for the moment, banned the extraction of schist gas or at least the controversial technique of hydraulic fracturing, because of fears for the environment. Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger has called for the highest possible environmental and safety standards to be adopted for schist gas. He has promised proposals for next spring. (EH/transl.rt)