Fracking in Ukraine has been used since the 1950s. The first fracking operation in Ukraine was conducted in 1954 for the underground coal gasification project.Unconventional Gas in Ukraine. History of hydrofracking in Ukraine. 04.07.2013 There has been a strong revival of interest in the fracking industry in Ukraine.American Bar Association: Ukraine’s energy crisis may invite hydraulic fracturing and regulatory uncertainty According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Ukraine has third-largest shale gas reserves in Europe at .U.S. Energy Information Administration. Technically Recoverable Shale Oil and Shale Gas Resources: An Assessment of 137 Shale Formations in 41 Countries Outside the United States. June 2013 As of 2011, approximately 22 domestic and foreign-owned companies have been engaged in fracking in Ukraine.
Obstacles At least two companies have backed out of a deal to extract shale gas in Eastern Ukraine due to the threat of military action in that area.Shell, Chevron, pull out of fracking deals in Ukraine citing the war with Separatists and Russia. David Herron. June 11, 2015 There are also other challenges to hydraulic fracturing in Ukraine, such as a lack of a proper regulatory framework for its development, opposition of major EU partners to hydraulic fracturing which may seek to influence Ukraine (France, for example, has an outright ban). Ukraine's shale gas reserves are also deeper than those in the United States, and thus production is bound to be more expensive, which may make it cost-prohibitive, depending on the prevailing market prices for gas.American Bar Association: Ukraine’s energy crisis may invite hydraulic fracturing and regulatory uncertainty
Uncertainty Constitutionally, Ukraine's natural resources belong to the people, with government acting as a trustee. A private investor needs to execute a production-sharing agreement, but is never entitled to 100% of its production, as it has to be shared with the state. The level of potential public opposition to hydraulic fracturing also creates uncertainty. On the positive side, Ukraine continues to vigorously pursue reforms designed to achieve energy independence, which portends well for hydraulic fracturing as a helpful option in that regard.American Bar Association: Ukraine’s energy crisis may invite hydraulic fracturing and regulatory uncertainty
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