INTERVIEW: Chief Executive of 3Legs speaks about drilling in Poland

Alexander Fraser, Chief Executive of 3Legs Resources plc, was recently interviewed by Ed Crooks, Energy Editor of the Financial Times.

3Legs, through its Lane Energy subsidiary, has partnered with ConocoPhillips to drill the first ever shale gas well in Poland, in the Baltic Basin.

Drilling on the first of three planned wells is expected to commence in the latter half of June.

Fraser described the first well as being a "proof of concept" or "science well".

Though research conducted by 3Legs has shown a high probability of shale gas, the most recent geochemical analysis dated back 20 years old and is not optimal for laboratory analysis. Drilling vertically through the formation will allow 3Legs to extensively log and core the formation and remove rock samples for analysis.

3Legs is hoping to confirm the extent and thickness of the formation, the organic richness and thermal maturity of the rocks and most importantly, for presence of gas in the rocks.

Fraser commented that success would result in early stage (pilot) production in about two years, with large scale production a minimum of 4-5 years out.

Other topics covered in the interview include the legal environment, environmental regulations and costs of drilling in Europe versus the US.

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