EUROPEAN UNCONVENTIONAL RESOURCES - THE RACE IS ON

UNCONVENTIONAL GAS RESOURCES IS ON THEemergence of a mature spot market for LNG? How
RISEwill unconventional gas affect Summer 2010's LNG
Exploration and production of unconventional gasflows?
resources have been the focus of US authorities andTrading & Transportation: Updates on European
industry for years already. This trend has started inTrends from leading companies including DONG, EON,
Europe, where Germany, Italy, UK, Poland  and otherGTS, GASUNIE, RWE and more!
European countries have begun to focus on theseThe Impact Of The Economic Crisis On Gas Demand
resources. More attention has been given by the& Pricing: One of the biggest questions on
industry to explore for unconventional gas resources,everyone's lips - discussions featured leading
like Gas Shales, Coal Bed Methane (CBM), tight Gascompanies such as: BP, OIES, ECONGAS, NatGas,
and potentially oil shale resources as well.The Brattle Group, RWE and more
Indications of this spike in interest are the amount ofSupply & Demand: Europe's Future Supply
conferences arranged and to be arranged aroundDemand Balance & Global LNG Flows Given The
Europe in 2010.Impact Of Unconventional Gas
This article will highlight some of the conferencesInvestment Challenges For European Infrastructure
workshops held and planned to be held during this yearGerman Market Update: Gas Demand, Merger Of The
as well as discuss some of the industry effortsGas Areas, Balancing, Storage, Moving Gas Cross
planned and already started in Europe.Borders and more
Interesting is the participation of major players from theKey companies in attendance at Flame 2010 included:
US, and talks about their experience from exploringGazprom Export
and producing of these unconventional resources. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 
Also worth noticing, is the absence of authorities fromTotal Gas & Power
the US when it comes to environmental concerns, 
regulatory discussions and so on?Centrica Energy  
Technology enables utilization of these resources in Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 
manners not possible only few years ago. RapidShell
development of technology and understanding ofE.ON
these unconventional resources makes these 
resources a formidable untapped potential for oil andCheniere Supply & Marketing
gas companies.BP Global
In the US alone, these resources are believed toGas                          
supply over 50% of the US production of gas byExxonMobil
2020.GDF Suez Global LNG             
In Europe, international oil and gas companies haveGasTerra
begun the race for acreage to explore for theRWE Supply & Trading
unconventional resource potential. Countries like Poland,GASPOOL Balancing
France and UK together with Germany have begun toServices                       
focus more on these resources now. However, theNabucco Pipeline
understanding of the potential for these resources areRepsol Gas Natural
not well understood as of yet in this region of theENbW
world.Cepsa
ConocoPhillips together with 3Legs are planning to drill Â Â Â 
their first proof of concept well in Poland in the latterGasunie and many more!
part of June this year.Expert views were given from companies including:
ExxonMobil has secured significant acreage in PolandDONG, London Energy Brokers' Association, E.ON
for exploring of shale gas and other unconventionalEnergy Trading, RWE Supply & Trading, GTS,
production opportunities in Europe.GTE & Gasunie Deutschland
BNK has secured 2.4 million acres of net acreage in 3Key presentations included:
basins within Saxony-Anhalt region in Germany forAlaa Abu Jbara, Marketing Director, QATARGAS
exploitation of unconventional resources. In addition theSteve Hamilton, EVP Strategy, GDF SUEZ GLOBAL
company has around 1.1 million net acres in Europe.LNG
Total has acreage in Montelimar in the SouthernJean Abiteboul, President, CHENIERE SUPPLY &
France and is evaluating this acreage before makingMARKETING
any decisions to follow up its efforts from the US gasGuy Broggi, Head of LNG Supply, TOTAL GAS &
shale campaign. They have indicated interest inPOWER
Denmark and Germany.Simon Bonini, Director LNG, CENTRICA
The Polish oil company Orlen has made gas shaleAndy Flower, LNG Consultant
discoveries within the Lublin region of Poland andDavid Wells, VP Global LNG Supply, SHELL GAS
signed letters of intent with ENI and Shell.& POWER
Poland authorities have issued 58 licenses over theStefan Bürkle, LNG Group COO, E.ON RUHRGAS
past 2 years to American companies for shale gasSimon Cattle, Head of Supply & Trading, Gas
exploration within their territories.Trading - Europe and LNG, BP
Shell has drilled 2 out of three wells looking for gasDavid Fuller, Head of LNG, RWE SUPPLY &
shales in the southern part of Sweden, called Skane.TRADING
Shell has indicated that these resources should coverThierry Trouvé, Chief Executive Officer, ELENGY
the gas need for Sweden for at least 10 years toGregorio Morales, LNG Trading Manager, STREAM
come.RGN
Igas has drilled one of Europe's first wells for 
"unconventional" gas in the UK, extracted from sourceNext venue is planned as The 17th Annual Event in the
rocks traditionally rejected by the industry asSpring 2011- Hotel Okura, Amsterdam
uneconomic.  Igas has taken leases on 300,000 acres 
of shale, a sedimentary rock, across north Wales andUNCONVENTIONAL GAS 2010
north-west EnglandMaximizing efficiency; reducing costs; extracting best
Although exploration is concentrated on shale and coalvalue
bed gas in a corridor running from Poland throughUnconventional gas resources are expected to steer
Germany to the UK, many other areas in Europe likethe future of the energy sector in the coming years.
the Paris Basin and the Pannonian Basin in HungarySMi's 3rd annual Unconventional Gas conference will
are attracting interest. A large variety ofbe taking a practical look at unconventional gas
unconventional exploration players are active, rangingproduction challenges, where the pressure is on to
from major companies like Chevron and ExxonMobilreduce costs and still deliver positive results.
to the smaller more specialized companies like LaneMonday 27th and Tuesday 28th September 2010,
Energy and local companies like Rhein Petroleum.Marriot Hotel regents Park, London, UK.
Gazprom has realized that this focus on theTo make the most from the underlying commercial
unconventional gas resource potential in Europe, couldopportunities, companies must be agile in
poses a serious risk for Gazprom and their energyanalysing their business needs and implement robust
export values. Therefore Russia has started astrategies to maximise the benefit from these
massive anti-shale propaganda to delay and stall anyresources. At the same time technologies and the
European Gas Shale efforts.supporting infrastructure have to be both efficient and
The industry's ability to deploy the right technologieseconomically viable to ensure success.
and the authorities ability to govern the exploitation ofEurope's leading Unconventional Gas conference
these resources will be key success factors for thesebrings together industry experts and project operators
plays in Europe.to discuss the drivers, constraints and opportunities for
Some efforts have been made to look into the Gasnon-conventional operations. Strategic examples and
Shale and CBM potential within Ukraine, as this couldpractical case studies will provide you with the
provide another dimension to the European Energyknow-how to succeed by being able to identify
debate and energy security issues especially.potential pitfalls and coming up with suitable solutions
Since the potential in Ukraine can be massive, it 
deserves attention from Ukraine authorities as well asGLOBAL SHALE GAS SUMMIT 2010
the industry players to develop a thoroughVenue: Sofitel Warsaw Victoria Hotel, Poland, July 19
understanding of its true potential and development– 20th 2010
potential.What Makes A Financially Viable Shale Gas
Prospect?
 BOOK TO READThe abundance in recent years of US shale gas has
The balance of need for Gas as a future energysparked enormous interest from the oil and gas
source in Europe versus renewable energy campaignindustry into different shale regions around the world,
in Europe is essential for any project economics inwhere exploration is currently underway to find out if,
Europe.and where, shale gas will be as productive as it is in
Gunter Oettinger, the new European Commissioner forNorth America.
energy, stresses the value of renewable energy.But what can governments do to encourage the
Forecasts indicate that EU is on course to meet itsdevelopment of shale gas in their own countries?
renewable goal for 2020. EU is tasked to ensure theirHow can investment in the expensive E+P process be
member states to reach and go beyond the 20encouraged, given the environmental and regulatory
percent target set out in their strategic plans.barriers-to-entry faced in some regions?
The political pressure from EU political leaders toHow can shale gas production become
ensure a renewable energy part of their energycost-competitive in different regions, given the current
budgets, pressure the confidence in future demand forlow price of gas?
gas and there are risks it could choke off investmentsAs one of the hottest geographical areas so far
within Unconventional resource projects within Europe.identified for exploring the potential for shale gas as a
This due to the fact that there are no guarantee forcost-competitive resource, Warsaw is the ideal venue
supply needs. It will also weigh against gas-fired powerfor this major Summit, enabling the global shale gas
stations planned in Europe as other forms of energyindustry to meet with the key government and industry
could supply these power stations in the near future. Itplayers in Poland, and potentially facilitating future
is therefore a need to look at project profitabilityenergy independence from their Russian neighbors'.
beyond 2020 for any Unconventional Gas projects inHaving seen the drastic impact of shale gas on both
Europe.the North American and global energy balance now is
Some European Unconventional Oil and Gasa critical time to assess the realistic prospects and
Resource Conferencesgenuine business opportunities for shale gas production
GLOBAL UNCONVENTIONAL GASworldwide, by addressing the geological data and the
 commercial feasibility of shale gas technology when
Unconventional gas provides abundant, affordable, andapplied to other regions.
cleaner-burning energy to a world demanding stableExpanding Cost-Competitive Shale Gas Worldwide
energy prices, security, and solutions to the climate 
challenge. Advances in technology have enabled theseWhere Do The Geological Prospects For Shale Gas
"new" resources to be developed economically in theLie?
United States — now supplying over 40% of totalWithout yet having conclusive data from shale gas
U.S. production and expected to supply well over 50%drilling in Europe or elsewhere in the world, the industry
by 2020. The transfer of knowledge combined withnevertheless needs clarity on how and where shale
new technology and processes tailored to specificgas is likely to be a commercially viable resource. 
resource plays will be essential to developingMoreover, outlining what data is available and what
unconventional gas in other regions of the world.data is still needed to predict the future productivity of
Global Unconventional Gas 2010: Unlocking Yourshales, compared to the three biggest shale plays in
Potential is the world's premier international conferencethe US will be critical. The Summit will feature a series
and workshop designed to transfer knowledge andof detailed panels given by senior geologists from
best practices gained in the U.S. Energy professionalsdifferent regions of the world. Combined with
and stakeholders will hear from top U.S. andgovernments talking about how regulatory and land
international experts about the enormous potential ofuse issues will affect the commerciality of shale gas in
gas shale and other unconventional gas resourcesthese regions, this will help companies to define how
across the globe and learn about the latest issues,they can gain entry and move forward in different
approaches, processes and technologies key toregions.
unlocking the resources in their own countries.  Cost Reduction, Optimization & Offsetting
Who will be there— E&P Managers , Engineers ,Having delved into the geological data by region,
Geologists , Investors , Policy Makers , Officials  countries need to find out exactly how the capital and
Conference highlights you won't want to miss—energy-intensive exploration, drilling, completion and
Dynamic keynote addresses on the role ofproduction processes can be optimized to make shale
unconventional gas in a sustainable global energy mixgas commercially-viable.
and what additional gas supplies make possible inLeading service companies in the field will deliver
terms of demandinnovative tools & techniques for throughout the
Presentations from leading E&P and serviceexploration and production processes of shale gas,
companies addressing key issues associated withincluding cost-optimization of drilling and completion. This
resource developmentis also a chance to discuss how service companies
Candid, interactive panel discussions aboutenvisage supplying demand for shale gas in the future
opportunities and insights into key global and U.S. shaleand the cost implications of ramping up supply chain
playscapabilities in new regions.
A learning workshop to review current and developingOpening the floor for a discussion on the application of
technologiesNorth American technologies globally, breakfast
A Welcome Reception, luncheons, and refreshmentbriefings from independent US shale gas experts will
breaks, where you'll share views and experiences withbring newcomers up-to-speed on the economics,
world leaders in unconventional gas resourcemechanics, and challenges of horizontal drilling and the
development.  use of the hydraulic fracturing technique.
Hear keynote presentations and perspectivesPartnerships & Regionally-Specific Regulation -
from—Strategies For Entry Into New Markets
Aubrey K. McClendon, Chairman and CEO,Bringing government and industry together from
Chesapeake Energy CorporationEurope and beyond, this is the premier business
Dr. Abdul Rahim Hashim, President, IGUconference to focus purely on strategies and solutions
Christopher Flavin, President, Worldwatch Institutefor expanding global shale gas.  Here, US shale gas
Chris Smith, Deputy Assistant Secretary, U.S.experts will meet with governments to facilitate
Department of Energycommercial shale gas development outside of North
Leading shale technology, resource, and businessAmerica for the first time.
expertsHigh on the agenda for industry and government, this
Prominent European and global energy officials  summit will also address the importance of managing
What you'll gain—and mitigating environmental risks, including water
A real-time perspective on the global prospects foravailability, disposal and reuse, to understand what the
unconventional gascost-implications of environmental risk will be.
Proven approaches to accelerated unconventionalThe Need for Shale Gas: Why This Event Comes At
resource developmentA Crucial Time For The Global Industry
Resources and techniques to effectively addressWith US technical innovations allowing gas to be
technology challengesextracted in different shales across North America
Knowledge and connections to leading and emergingfrom previously impenetrable reserves, shale gas has
industry playersnever been a more important issue for the global oil
 and gas industry and those in charge of securing
FLAMEfuture gas supply. At this summit the industry will learn
Over 700 of Europe's leading energy professionalsfrom US experiences, identify the challenges of
met to discuss the new agenda for gas and LNG inexpanding cost-competitive shale gas production
Amsterdam at Flame 2010. Unconventional gas, newworldwide, in terms of strategies and technology, and
markets for LNG and commodity prices dominatedovercome regulatory and environmental barriers to
discussions as players met to get the latest update onbring this new resource to market at this crucial time,
global gas opportunities and challenges.to meet the growing demands of gas consumers.
Dr. Richard G. Newell, of the U.S. Energy InformationThe author:
Administration (EIA) and Mike Stice of CHESAPEAKEStig-Arne Kristoffersen has a background as civil
ENERGY shared their thoughts on the developmentengineer and geoscientist. He has worked mainly within
of and prospects for unconventional gas in the USA.the oil and gas industry from the mid 1980s. He has
LNG Summit Day - Monday 1st March 2010 - Keywritten a few fictional novels as well as being the
questions discussed included the impact ofauthor of some professional litterature within oil and
unconventional gas and new LNG supplies cominggas sector. He act as a writer to various web sites.
online on global LNG flows - will we see the