"Gazprom Has to Be Ready for These Difficulties"
The Voice of Russia generally takes a very 'patriotic' view of Russia's position as leading supplier of natural gas to Europe.
Shale gas developments in Europe and the EU backed Nabucco pipeline project have both suffered repeated drubbings at the hands of the media outlet.
That trend continues in the recent article, 'The unhappy shale revolution', which details comments from 'Russian and foreign experts' gathered to discuss whether a “shale revolution” is possible in Europe in the near future.
Andrey Konoplyanik from the Institute of Energy and Finances says:
“I believe, Europe will hardly see a boom of shale gas production of the same scale like it was in the US. Still, shale gas is gradually winning European markets. I believe, experts must thoroughly evaluate the situation – otherwise, some politicians may hurry to switch to the new source of energy a bit ahead of time. Let’s hope that European leaders will be wise enough not to let their political ambitions prevail over considerations of economic practicability.”
There is yet another reason not to feel too optimistic about the “shale revolution”. It has turned out that sometimes, shale gas production can be environmentally unfriendly. In Wyoming, the extradition of shale gas has brought certain harmful substances to the surface.
Vladimir Feygin from the same Institute of Energy and Finances says:
“In each country, the amount of shale gas production, will, besides other things, depend on the toughness of local environment protection laws. Currently, though the production of shale gas is already rapidly growing all over Europe, we are still at the stage of calculations. We must thoroughly evaluate all the possible threats to ecology.”
However, it what might may indicate an acknowledgement (or worry) of impending changes in the market, the article continues:
Like in other spheres, in energy, each country tries to search for its own energy sources, as an alternative to what other countries may suggest. This may complicate the situation with shale gas production in Europe. Unexpected difficulties may appear, ones which the “shale revolution” in the US has never faced. And Russia, first of all its giant oil company “Gazprom”, has to be ready for these difficulties.
Read the Full Article from the Voice of Russia HERE