If scientists’ are right, industrial production of stale gas in Western Lithuania could start in few years, Delfi.lt wrote on 25 May.
The value of resources could reach 30 billion USA dollars (73,6 billion Lt). It would minimize the Lithuania’s dependency of Russian gas for 30-50 years. Exploration would cost 615 million Lt.
“These are only assumptions. We haven’t already smelled, tasted what the stale gas is, it’s only theoretical counting, we’re working with a company, which has our tests and we will receive more realistic counting from them”, – says the Lithuania’s geology service director’s assistant Jonas Satkūnas after meeting in the Government with the Premier, Delfi.lt wrote .
According to him, americans refered Lithuania‘s scientists‘ published data before publishing the resources of stale gas in Lithuania.
According to J.Satkūnas, Lithuania‘s resources reach about 480 billion cubic meters, 100 of them are available to obtain. Shale gas is similar to currently used Lithuanian natural gas.
“If this year contest will be announced and the winner will be selected, the test drilling could start next year”, – estimates J. Satkūnas.
In minister of Energy A. Sekmokas opinion, exploration would cost about 250 million US dollars (615 million Lt), but the industrial extraction would probably start at least after 10 years. By knowledge of the Minister, the amount of stale gas, buried in Lithuania, could be worth 10 – 30 billion US dollars. (24,5-73,6 billion Lt).
“However, this is only theoretical quantity, unreasonable by any investigations, so we need to look at them very carefully. If Lithuania would have these resources, it would be a huge influence to development of country”, – said to Delfil.lt A. Sekmokas, while visiting the Government.
I’m sure Jonas Satkunas wouldn’t want to smell and taste stale gas and the chemicals involved in producing it. Environmental impact and health problems associated with stale gas production are enormous. Why not invest in wind and solar?