Vienna Basin: A Trustworthy Location for Producing Shale Gas

OMV Exploration & Production GmbH said the Austrian company is in talks with the local authorities in the Vienna basin where it has determined great potential shale gas reserves, as part of preparatory work for a pilot project.

The location itself is a highly suitable place, according to an OMV spokesperson.

"People know and trust us there,” the company spokesperson added. “We are known as a responsible operator.”

As reported on Natural Gas Europe, OMV has emphasized its eco-friendly approach to exploring for unconventionals in Austria.

“We will employ hydraulic fracturing but cannot do it in the same way as it has been done in the US, but in a more environmentally friendly way.”

Regarding shale prospects in the Vienna basin, OMV said that they have done a feasibility study in 2006, as well as engineering studies and research on the technology to explore and produce shale gas there.

“Yes, we know there are resources, but can we exploit them?”

OMV commented: “We believe we have good potential and prepare a pilot project to see if the shale gas is technically and economically recoverable.”

Meanwhile, Austria’s Environment Minister told Der Standard that he was “ absolutely opposed to shale gas drilling”.

Nikolaus Berlakovich said that experiences in the U.S. showed that shale gas exploitation could have detrimental effects on the environment .

"Instead of fossil fuels, we should set on Triple-E", Berlakovich said. "Renewable energy, energy efficiency and energy saving".

A recent geological study has shown the potential for large shale gas reserves in the Province of Lower Austria.

Austria’s Kurier newspaper reports that the reserves could cover domestic requirements for a period of 30 years.

OMV is planning test drillings in the region around Poysdorf, District Mistelbach, in the North of Austria, following public consultations.

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