Poland agrees to join in US shale gas research program

Poland agrees to join in US shale gas research program Poland has agreed to join in US research into extracting natural gas from shale, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Saturday.

"Poland has agreed to participate in the global shale gas initiative, which is focused on tapping into unconventional gas resources to drive economic growth and lower emissions," Clinton said on a visit to Krakow.
"The shale gas initiative will bring together interested countries that have both potential gas development as well as will to develop the expertise in order to create the conditions that this resource can be exploited in a safe, environmentally sustainable manner," she said.

"We think that Poland has a very good opportunity to be a leader in a full range of energy issues, including shale gas."

Technical experts from both countries will work on releasing gas trapped in rock, of which Poland is thought to have substantial reserves, through unconventional techniques such as horizontal drilling. Though more costly than the usual methods, it has enabled the United States to limit dependence on imported natural gas.

In 2000 it represented just one percent of US gas production, but has now reached 20 percent and could account for half by 2030, according to industry experts IHS Cera.

"This is a very good sign of Polish leadership in the energy sector because energy security and independence is one of the most important aspects of national security," Clinton said.