Reuters: Regulatory News: CORRECTED-Chevron says Europe needs broad framework to explore shale gas

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CORRECTED-Chevron says Europe needs broad framework to explore shale gas May 29th 2013, 22:31 Wed May 29, 2013 6:31pm EDT (In 2nd paragraph, corrects title of Magness to Chevron onshore Europe general manager, not general manager for Europe, Asia and Middle East) By Barbara Lewis BRUSSELS May 28 (Reuters) - Europe needs an EU-wide framework if it is to tap into its shale gas reserves quickly enough to reap the benefit, a senior executive at Chevron Corp said on Tuesday. European governments should also consider sharing any profits with local communities in an echo of what is done in the United States, where landowners benefit directly from shale gas finds, Derek Magness, Chevron onshore Europe general manager, told Reuters in an interview. Debate is intense in Europe about whether shale gas, by lowering energy costs, can provide the kind of economic boost that it has delivered in the United States. "There's a big unknown here," Magness said, saying that Chevron was committed to exploring shale gas reserves. The amount of available data for Europe is tiny compared with the United States. In Poland, for instance, only one well has been drilled in one concession, while for an area of a similar size in the United States, there would be 4,600 wells, Magness said. So far, he said, Chevron was drilling a fourth well in Poland and hoped to drill two more this year. It also plans to explore in Romania and is in talks with the Ukraine government. Magness said he could not comment on ongoing negotiations. STAYING THE COURSE While Chevron says it is staying, other companies, including Exxon Mobil, have abandoned shale gas operations in Poland. Some have cited uncertainty about the regulatory environment, as well as poor drilling results. The European Union's Executive Commission has said there is sufficient EU-wide regulation in place for the exploration phase of shale gas, though more might be needed to cover development. It has said it will publish later this year a non-binding framework to guide activity. "We need that regulatory environment in place," Magness said, arguing it could overcome confusion and share best practice, with nations such as Britain providing a possible model. British Prime Minister David Cameron, whose government is advancing plans for its shale gas deposits, said at an EU summit on energy last week that Europe could not afford to be left behind as the United States gains a competitive advantage. Magness said the question is "whether (the European Union) can do it in a timely manner in order to take advantage of the marketplace". Benefits for the United States have included encouraging re-industrialisation, as the chemical industry, for instance, is drawn by cheap energy. But for Europe the situation is complex. Opposition from environmental campaigners is strong and geology and geography are very different. Analysts say the cost will rise as prices fell so far in the United States that shale gas developers suffered a loss. One catalyst in the United States has been the direct financial benefit to landowners, which has overcome resistance, whereas in Europe resources tend to belong to the state. Magness said he had discussed with governments the idea of handing some of the profits to communities. "We would very much encourage the government to ensure a portion of the profit would go to that community," he said. "At least return it to the community in the form of a larger piece of the budget." (Editing by Leslie Adler) Link this Share this Digg this Email Reprints

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