LONDON, Jan. 15 (UPI) -- The geological characteristics in Poland means it may be hard for energy companies to duplicate the shale gas success in the United States, an analyst said.
New drilling technologies used for shale deposits have given energy companies access to oil and gas reserves previously out of reach, putting the United States in a leadership position in terms of production of those resources.
Paul Stevens, an oil analyst at London think tank Chatham House, told the New York Times it may be tough to replicate that success in Poland.
"The geology has not worked out," he was quoted as saying Tuesday.
Chevron, which has headquarters in California, is one of the few energy companies still exploring the shale reserve potential in Poland. Marathon Oil, which has headquarters in Texas, gave up on its Polish shale ambitions in 2012 and Italian energy company Eni is said to be on the way out the door, the report said.
In 2011, Poland was considered one of the premier frontier sites of shale exploration though Stevens said many of the countries in Europe haven't made the necessary research investments to capitalize on the potential.
Poland consumes more natural gas than it produces and the former Soviet republic relies heavily on Russia to meet its energy needs.
