18.09.2011 The first shale gas has been produced in Lubocino near Wejherowo, under a licence held by PGNiG SA
Polskie Górnictwo Naftowe i Gazownictwo SA is the first Polish company to have started technological production of shale gas. Prime Minister Donald Tusk and other members of the government arrived at the location to personally participate in the event, which marks a major milestone not only for PGNiG, but also for the entire Polish economy.
The flare is burning at the Lubocino-1 well in the Wejherowo licence area. This opens up the way for further work in the licence area, which is expected to lead to the launch of commercial production of shale gas and to provide confirmation that the forecasts regarding large resources of shale gas in Poland are legitimate.
Tests carried out after a successful completion of the fracturing operation have corroborated that there are potentially significant amounts of shale gas in the Wejherowo licence area. Analyses of the gas, coming from Silurian and Ordovician shales, have confirmed its very good energy characteristics, absence of hydrogen sulphide and low nitrogen content. The analyses have further identified the presence of heavy hydrocarbons. The first stage of the tests and trials has ended in lighting up the flare stack.
Now, PGNiG SA is preparing itself for horizontal drillings and further fracturing treatments in the licence area. This work will continue for at least over a year. Once it is completed, it will be possible to start commercial production.
The adopted plan of work provides for drilling of the Lubocino 2H horizontal well, carrying out the fracturing, testing the well and determining the actual production potential.
If all the work proceeds as planned, it will be possible to start pilot production in the second half of 2013, and commercial production will be launched as soon as in 2014.
Work in the Wejherowo licence area began last year. Drilling of the 3.5 km deep vertical well where production tests have started was completed in March 2011 by Poszukiwania Nafty i Gazu Piła, a PGNiG subsidiary. Other PGNiG subsidiaries to have worked in the Wejherowo licence area include Poszukiwania Naftowe Diament and ZRUG Krosno.
Currently, PGNiG SA holds 15 licences to explore for shale gas. The licences cover an area stretching from the Pomerania region through the Mazovia and the Lublin regions to the Rzeszów region. PGNiG also holds several licenses covering areas with tight gas potential, primarily in the Greater Poland region. More licences are planned to be acquired.
Work is now under way to start drilling operations in the Tomaszów Lubelski license area (the Lubycza Królewska well).
Joanna Zakrzewska
Spokesperson
PGNiG SA
