File photo of Poland's PM Donald Tusk
Commercial shale gas production in Poland may be launched as early as 2014, the country's Prime Minister Donald Tusk has revealed.
"With moderated optimism we think that in 2014 there will be commercial extraction, so really just around the corner," Tusk announced Sunday, as cited by international media.
By 2035, Poland, which relies almost entirely on gas deliveries from Russia, may be able to mainly use its own source, Tusk also stated.
Shale gas had led to an important transformation of the natural gas market. Since the mid-00s, American shale gas production has been on dramatic rise. In Europe, exploration is underway in countries like Romania and Poland, with the latter having the prospects of becoming the pioneer.
Also on Sunday, Bulgarian Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov made a controversial statement on shale gas, asking fellow citizens who oppose its exploration in northeastern Bulgaria to stop irritating him otherwise he would sign the contract out of "stubbornness."
"Nothing will happen if you stop irritating me. About those holding the signs, I wish to tell that they are enticed by a particular political party. If this keeps going on, we will sign the contract just out of sheer stubbornness," Borisov declared.