As of 30 November 2015, there were 32 active oil/gas exploration and appraisal concessions that covered also the shale gas. The concessions were awarded to 10 Polish and foreign holders who have drilled a total of 71 exploratory wells by 30 November 2015.
The number of active concessions has not changes since the past month. However, comparing to the record year of 2012 when there were 113 active concessions, as much as 81 shale gas exploration concessions have been relinquished.
Currently, three companies are in the lead with 7 shale gas exploration concessions each: Orlen Upstream Sp.z o.o., Shale Tech Energy Sp. z o.o. and LOTOS Petrobaltic SA (the latter holds solely offshore concessions). PGNiG SA holds 4 concessions for unconventional oil/gas exploration.
The total area under the concessions is equal to 25,210 km2, or 8.1% of Poland's surface. In the years 2012-2013 concessions covered 90,000 km2, or almost 30% of Poland's surface area.
By 30 November 2015, concession holders drilled 71 exploratory wells, including 17 directional/horizontal and 54 vertical ones. The drilling of one well – Wysin-3H – has been completed in November for PGNiG at the “Stara Kiszewa” Concession by the United Oilfield Services. Currently, final completion jobs and testing operations are underway. The well is to be hydraulically fracture stimulated in 2016.
So far, only 3 shale gas exploration wells were completed in 2015 (Pęclin-OU1, Rawicz 12 SL-1 and Wysin-2H).
In the past years, the progress of shale gas exploration drilling was as follows:
- 2010 - 3 wells,
- 2011 - 12 wells,
- 2012 - 24 wells,
- 2013 - 14 wells,
- 2014 - 15 wells.
Special jobs have been performed in some of the wells to initially assess the shale gas production potential. Hydraulic fracturing was performed in 25 wells (37% of all wells drilled), including 12 horizontal legs. DFIT (Diagnostic Fracture Injection Test) was performed in 9 wells. Special jobs are still to be made in 41 wells. No hydraulic fracture stimulation nor DFIT jobs have been performed in 2015.
In the past years, the number of hydraulic fracture stimulation and DFIT operations was as follows:
- 2010 - 2 wells fracture stimulated and 1 DFIT,
- 2011 - 7 wells fracture stimulated,
- 2012 - 8 wells fracture stimulated and 7 DFIT,
- 2013 - 4 wells fracture stimulated and 1 DFIT,
- 2014 - 4 wells fracture stimulated.
source: lupki.mos.gov.pl
8.12.2015
