Reuters cited Mr Donald Tusk Prime Minister of Poland as saying that the country may begin commercial shale gas production as soon as 2014 helping to reduce its energy reliance on Russia.

He said that "With moderated optimism we think that in 2014 there will be commercial extraction so really just around the corner. He added that by 2035, Poland which relies almost entirely on gas from Russia may be able to mainly use its own source.”

Decreasing Poland energy dependence on its eastern neighbor has been a goal for its governments and often an issue in election campaigns. The country holds an election on October 9.

Poland the European Union largest ex-communist member also hopes to capitalize on some of the income from shale gas production through taxes and licenses.

According to a recent study by the US Energy Information Administration, Poland technically recoverable reserves of shale gas are the biggest in Europe at an estimated 5.3 trillion cubic meters.

(Sourced from Reuters)