“Present estimates of the reserves should be treated with great caution”, warns the report prepared for the European Commission.
Despite the uncertain estimates, the report authors notice that the shale gas extraction constitutes an opportunity for the gas supply diversification. This has special importance for the countries that import gas mainly from Russia.
At the same time, the report dissipates concerns that the gas extraction will be hazardous to environment. “The risk is similar to the one related with conventional methods of gas extraction", we read in the report. It also notes that because of technological progress the shale gas exploitation is more and more safe and cheaper at the same time. The example of the United States shows that lower gas price entails lower production costs and, in consequence, improved competitiveness.
However, the authors do not underestimate other factors related with the unconventional shale gas extraction methods. They include changes in the landscape due to the need to build a number of the gas wells, bigger than in case of conventional gas extraction and the necessity to build the new road infrastructure for the transport of gas.
However, the authors also point to positive impact of the increased gas extraction on the environment. “The replacement of coal and oil with gas in the short and medium term may contribute to the reduction of emissions from the existing technologies at least until 2030–2035", write the experts.
Source: Rzeczpospolita, 15-08-2012, author: m.c.