Reuters: PGNiG needs Polish shale potential clear by 2019

Poland needs to be clear on its shale gas potential by 2019 to let its gas monopoly PGNiG decide on future supplies from Russia's giant Gazprom beyond the current deal expiring 2022, PGNiG head was quoted on Tuesday as saying.

Poland, the largest economy in the eastern wing of the European Union, is eager to develop shale industry on its soil as it is struggling to modernise its coal-intensive economy and curb its reliance on Russian gas supplies.

"It's very important that by 2019, that is three years before the Gazprom contract expires, we know how much shale we are able to produce domestically from conventional sources and, first and foremost, shale gas," tabloid Super Express daily quoted Grazyna Piotrowska-Oliwa as saying.

"Then we will have to make a decision on what next with imported gas," the newly-elected chief executive told a Super Express debate on Apr.13, according to the paper.  MORE