But with Europe being dependent on Russian gas imports with up to 90% could allow this to happen as it was proven by the situation in January 2006, when Russia cut off all gas supplies passing through Ukrainian territory because of geopolitical disputes about the price of natural gas supplied and the cost of tranzit. The result was that numerous European countries did not receive the gas in the middle of the winter. Since then, Europe has been looking for alternative gas resources finding them in shale gas located in Poland.
Shale gas is natural gas formed from being trapped within shale formations. Shale gas has become an increasingly important source of natural gas in the United States since the start of this century, and interest has spread to potential gas shales in the rest of the world. Poland is recognized as one of the leaders in this field and has some of the largest deposits of shale gas in Europe. Like the U. S. , the country is positioned to reshape the energy sector within Europe thereby creating free market competition and removing Russia’s monopoly on gas imports into Europe.
Poland, which imports over 90 percent of oil and 70 percent of gas from Russia, continues to be concerned about its energy security, therefore Poland is seeking its independence from Russian gas and oil imports. The Polish shale gas industry could create over 155,000 new jobs within the next 10 years, and international oil&gas companies are exploring these reserves in Poland. The investment in shale gas, a potentially huge source of energy, will not only help Poland to break free of its dependence on Russian imports but will also boost its economy an favor free market competition resulting in lower prices benefiting all consumers.
The Review on Rate Transient Analysis in Shale Gas Reservoirs with Transient Linear Behavior
Approved by: Chair of Committee, Committee Members, Robert A. Wattenbarger Goong Chen Christine Ehlig-Economides Bryan Maggard Stephen Holditch Head of Department, May 2009 Major Subject: Petroleum Engineering iii ABSTRACT Rate Transient Analysis in Shale Gas Reservoirs with Transient Linear Behavior. (May 2009) Rasheed Olusehun Bello, B. Sc. , University of Lagos, Nigeria; M. Sc. , University of ...
Russia is very afraid about Poland becoming independent, first of all because the demand for gas and oil will drop, but also because it will prompt other European countries to gain their independence, like Ukraine and Germany for example. Germany is particularly interested, as it will stop to produce electricity from its nuclear power plants by 2020 requiring a mighty alternative energy source. Ukraine, just like Poland, already started to look for the shale gas and hopes to become very soon independent from Russia.
If Poland, Ukraine, and other countries are able to develop commercial shale gas production, Russia’s influence on Europe could diminish. A decrease in the demand from Europe will affect Russia’s economy and more than anything will affect the demand for gas of Gazprom which is the Russian state-owned natural gas giant that supplies Europe with most of its gas, and has benefited from a monopoly of Russian exports which was intended to prevent competition between Russian firms pushing down the price of natural gas.
Although the demand of oil and gas will remain the same within Russia, it will shift dramaticaly in Europe. Poland, Ukraine and other countries will be able to provide themselves the gas needed and even become exporting countries themselves, so will be no more need to import expensive gas from Russia. Conseuqently, Russia will loose its oil&gas market in Europe and will have to search for other markets outside Europe.
The Term Paper on Russia Foreign Policy
The domestic political setting and its interplay with the international context are fundamental elements in the analysis of the projection of Russian power and influence. In a constant search for balance between the national interest, international compromises and the bargaining/concessions duality, Russia has been pursuing a policy of affirmation, both in regional and international terms. ...
From Poland’s point of view the revenue obtained from a shale gas industry could finance new infrastructure projects. Shale gas could also help the country gain more geopolitical weight. Also, Polish shale gas industry could create over 155,000 new jobs within the next 10 years, and Conoco Philips, Chevron, Marathon Oil, and others are exploring these reserves in Poland. Poland it’s still using coal to generate electricity which is very polluting for the environment.
According to World Bank (2011) Poland generated 88 percent of its electricity from coal in 2010. Switching Polish power plants to natural gas, a cleaner fuel that accounted for 3 percent of total electricity generation in 2010, would reduce the bad emissions from the coal. In conclusion, although for Russia this change will not be a good one due to the losses in demand and profit, for Poland and, in essence, Europe, it’s more than welcomed and necessary.
