European Unconventional Gas Summit to Focus on Challenges to Shale Gas Exploration

Vienna, Austria, December 15, 2012 --(PR.com)-- More than 200 industry experts will gather in Vienna in January for the third European Unconventional Gas Summit to discuss the future for shale gas in all key EU countries and debate the best practices to overcome the main exploration and production challenges. Says Bryony Senczyszyn, the event’s conference director: “increased public concern over the environmental risks linked to fracking and a continuing uncertain regulatory landscape mean shale gas exploration in Europe faces its tallest hurdles to date. For the industry to move forward, operators must ensure constant, transparent dialogue with NGOs, governments and local communities.”

Fracking techniques need to tailored
Among the attendees and speakers are operators such as Talisman Energy, MOL and BNK Petroleum, government representatives from countries across Europe including Germany, Poland, Hungary and Ukraine as well as key NGOs including the WWF, Food & Europe Group, and The Global Warming Policy Foundation. Says the European Unconventional Gas Summit’s Bryony Senczyszyn: “As each shale play is different, operators are discovering that fracking techniques, stimulations and technologies need to be tailored to each reservoir to gain maximum profitability. This means locating sweet spots and monitoring reservoirs efficiently has never been more important for operators and service companies. Technical experts at our new Technology Academy Day including NuTech and Tamboran Resources, will show how they successfully deliver accurate and high-quality reservoir characterisation information.”

WWF still concerned with shale gas
Dr Stephan Singer, Director, Global Energy Policy, Global Climate and Energy Initiative at the WWF International, is part of a panel discussion in the programme focusing on public, community and media engagement. He says the WWF is still concerned about unconventional gas.

He explains: “The 'conventional' threats can be overcome with stronger regulation: the issues of toxic substances being used in fracking fluid will disappear if there is mandatory disclosure and exclusion of toxic chemicals. But even if everything is being dealt with properly - even if you reduce fresh water consumption, don't use toxic chemicals, reduce the amount of drilling holes needed, reduce methane venting - we are applying the cautionary principle and saying unless these issues are resolved, we remain very critical of shale gas because of its potential role to increase carbon exposure to the atmosphere, reducing investments in renewables and energy efficiency.”

More headline speakers at the European Unconventional Gas Summit:

· Andrzej Jasiński, Advisor to Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy, Adviser to the Chief Inspector for Environment Protection, Ministry of Environment, Poland
· Richard Moorman, Technical Advisory Board Member, Tamboran Resources
· Tomasz Gryzewski, Corporate Affairs Lead, Talisman Energy, Poland
· Michael Gessner, Director, Ministry of Economy and Energy, North Rhine-WestPhalia
· Andras Jenei, Senior Energy Advisor, Falcon –TXM
· Andras Pentek, Vice President, Strategy Development, MOL

Event dates and location:
Day 1: 29 January 2013: Technology Day
Day 2-3: 30-31 January 2013: Conference days
Location: Vienna, Austria