First ever Polish fracking operation goes ahead

Halliburton recently performed the first-ever, shale hydraulic fracturing operation in Poland for PGNiG, the state-owned Polish oil and gas company. PGNiG contracted Halliburton to fracture the Markowola-1 exploratory well near Kozienice, Lublin province, to determine if the site contained commercial gas deposits. Increasing demand for natural gas in Poland has companies searching for domestic sources of unconventional gas deposits.

European countries have been struggling with declining production and increasing demand, according to published reports. The successful development of shale gas in Europe will provide energy and economic security for consumers.

"To have been chosen to provide the first fracture stimulation project in Poland was very exciting for us," said Brady Murphy, vice president, Halliburton's Europe/West Africa Region. "We can use the experience we have gained and the technology we have developed for use in the unconventional gas plays in the United States to support development of unconventional gas resources in this region."

Preliminary reports by US consultants have suggested that Poland may have as much as 1.5 - 3 trillion m³ of shale gas, and the country is naturally keen to exploit this reserve, as it is increasingly dependent on Russian gas. Poland has already issued 58 concessions to explore for shale gas.

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