18 April 2013, Houston – Russia’s gas monopoly, Gazprom does not expect the country to go into shale gas exploration in the next ten years.
A top official with the Russian firm told a conference in Houston, Texas that drilling for shale gas was not the country’s focus for now.
According to Elena Burmistrova, Gazprom’s deputy general director, though the resources are there, shale gas is just not a focus.
The company’s position might have been informed by the company’s involvement in developing the vast conventional gas resources in the region.
“We are not going to develop shale gas in Russia within the next five to 10 years,” she said.
Studies are underway to get a better grasp on just how much gas Russia has trapped in its fairly extensive shale formations.
Gazprom has shown greater interest in the development of shale oil, as confirmed via its link-up earlier this year with supermajor Shell in a 50-50 joint venture to tap tight oil in Western Siberia.
Additionally, Burmistrova said the pause button could be released soon on the ambitious Shtokman development, as talks with France’s Total regarding the best way forward are progressing.
“We’re working on optimisation,” she revealed. “We should have a decision within the next few months… regarding pipeline construction.”
