Shale gas exploration status as of January 2016

As of 31 December 2015, there were 32 active hydrocarbons, including shale gas, exploration and/or appraisal concessions in Poland awarded to 10 Polish and foreign concession holders who have drilled 72 exploration wells by 4 January 2016.

The number of active concessions has not changed in the past two months. However, comparing with the record year of 2012 with 113 active concessions, as much as 81 shale gas concessions have been relinquished so far.

Currently, there are four leaders in terms of shale gas concessions held: Orlen Upstream Sp. z o.o., Shale Tech Energy Sp. z o.o. and Lotos Petrobaltic (seven concessions each, the latter holds solely offshore concessions). PGNiG SA holds 4 unconventional oil and gas exploration concessions.

The total area under shale gas exploration concessions is equal to 25,210 km2, or 8.1% of Poland's area. In 2012-2013, the concessions covered 90,000 km2 (almost 30% of Poland's area).

By 4 January 2016, concession holder drilled 72 exploratory wells, including 18 directional/horizontal wells and 54 vertical ones. In December the Wysin-3H well was completed for PGNiG at Stara Kiszewa Concession in the Pomeranian Province. The well is to be hydraulically fracture stimulated in 2016.

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,
2015 - 4 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 (35% of all wells drilled), including 12 horizontal legs. DFIT (Diagnostic Fracture Injection Test) was performed in 9 wells. No hydraulic fracture stimulation nor DFIT tests have been performed in 2015.

In the past years, the number of hydraulic fracture stimulation and DFIT tests was as follows: