President of Lithuania, Dalia Grybauskaitė, met with representatives of the international energy corporation Chevron, Jay Johnson and Gilbert Ankenbauer, who presented the company’s experience in exploring shale gas.
“It is important for any country to know its natural resources, energy reserves and possibilities. Lithuania also needs to explore the earth entrails in its territory to have the possibility to use them for the well-being of its people,” the President said.
According to the President, it is crucial for Lithuania on its path towards energy independence to ensure the diversification of energy sources. Therefore, in case the exploration yields positive results, shale gas could become another alternative for expensive Russian gas.
Dalia Grybauskaitė pointed out that the exploration of shale gas should be carried out strictly in line with environmental requirements and keeping close dialogue with local communities. Clear and comprehensible information must be available to the people, she noted.
Shale gas exploration and extraction is named by the Seimas (Parliament) and Government of the Republic of Lithuania among priorities on the state policy agenda. Hence, Lithuania will further promote economically justified exploration of shale gas and environmentally friendly extraction of shale hydrocarbons in the country.
Chevron is participating in an international tender organized by the Ministry of Environment for the rights to explore and extract shale gas and oil in Lithuania.
[mappress] LNG World News Staff, February 04, 2013; Image: president.lt