Dziennikarz Specjalizujący Się W Energii Jestem dziennikarzem z Oksfordu, specjalizującym się w energii. Piszę o wszystkich aspektach biznesu energetycznego, tj. wydobyciu, produkcji, inwestycjach, rynkach, technologii, regulacjach prawnych i rynkowych, tworzeniu zasad jego działalności, kierownictwie i zarządzaniu.

Specjalizuję się w dziedzinie energii ropy i gazu na lądzie i w wodach przybrzeżnych. Dodatkowo, dla moich klientów korporacyjnych, dostarczam kopie na piśmie. Jestem do dyspozycji (wg prowizji) do wielu różnorodnych prac dziennikarskich. Od 2000 r. jestem wydawcą „Oksfordprospect magazine”, regionalnego miesięcznika biznesowego, gdzie można znaleźć aktualności z dziedziny energetyki oraz przykłady moich prac dziennikarskich na inne tematy. http://www.nicnewmanoxford.com/Dziennikarz-Energii.html

Could shale gas discoveries herald a revolution in Europe?

Re: Could shale gas discoveries herald a revolution in Europe? http://www.powerengineeringint.com/articles/print/volume-19/issue-9/regulars/upfront/could-shale-gas-discoveries-herald-a-revolution-in-europe.html

I feel that many in the media are caught up in gold rush fever when they debate the future of shale/unconventional gas in Europe.

Unfortunately, the media hype about shale gas is not backed by the facts. Here are a number of reasons:

1.       The amount of shale/coal seam gas reserves in Europe is questionable despite the over optimistic forecasts provided by the US Geological Survey. The real problem is not how much CSG there is but how much of it can be extracted commercially, given the technological, geological and environmental challenges involved. Already, despite the hype about shale gas from Polish Prime Minister Tusk, news of recent test results have been disappointing to say the least. Prime Minister Tusk has not cancelled plans to construct Poland's first LNG import terminal project, with a capacity of 7.5 billion cubic metres per annum, which is due for completion in June 2014. Which will supply nearly half of the country' gas needs.

2.       To suggest that European produced shale gas prices will be similar to that of the US is unlikely for a number of reasons:

a.       The geology of Europe is much more complex, which makes it more difficult to extract shale gas than in North America.

b.      There is a worldwide shortage of land based drill teams and equipment, especially in Europe. This is likely to get worse as demand increases for such experienced and skilled teams from other oil and gas provinces and from the geothermal power sector.

c.       Unlike the US the European legal, environmental and regulatory landscape is much more complex and needs to be updated to meet the needs of E&P.

d.      If European shale gas production is to make a significant impact on reducing gas imports, then European gas prices must be considerably increased.

e.      At present, the development of shale gas on the US market has turned it into a net gas exporter, forcing Henry Hub prices down. Already several European industrial consumers such as power stations are using American gas.

That is why I think it is unlikely that shale gas discoveries herald a revolution in Europe.

For more info on this see page 14 http://content.yudu.com/A1rsht/EWApril2011/resources/3.htm

Poland plans to veto EU proposals to apply environmental legislation to shale gas.

Nicholas Newman http://www.oxfordprospect.co.uk/Freelance-Journalist.html

EU Commissioner has declared that it is investigating how the European Commission can apply its strict Environmental regime to Europe’s infant shale gas industry. The EU Energy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger seeks to create a common set of European wide standards to regulate the safety and environmental issues that face policy makers and regulators concerned with the development of shale gas. Such a common set of standards would the Commissioner hope promote a high level of environmental security, safety and energy independence.

Such ambitions have caused serious concern to the Polish government, with September 30, Maciej Olex-Szczytowski, a special adviser on economics and business to Poland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the country would veto any new EU legislation. Poland is concerned that such proposals would handicap its ambitions to  develope the country’s estimated 5.3 trillion cubic metres of shale gas.EU Energy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger has announced that his proposals should be ready for consideration by member states in Spring 2012.

 However, despite Poland’s concerns many of Europe’s investors in shale gas E&P would welcome the Commission’s moves to create a European common set of standards to apply to the industry, rather than the rather chaotic situation where every member state has its own set of regulations. http://www.oxfordprospect.co.uk/Energy-Features.html